Little Giant Incubator Tricks

[cmom]

Thanks cmon, ah, I should've clarified. I was hoping you could explain how it's done. The thing you use to adjust the temp on mine is just plain black and it looks a bit like one of those lego pieces you use for the axles. I've noticed in other pictures, there seems to be a white capping surrounding.

I was hoping that someone could provide a written explanation of what was done, since I can't gather much from a picture.

If you could post a picture of what you have, it may help.

 

[QueenofKings]

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Here is the picture of the incubator top, hopefully you'll be able to see it.

Also gonna use this thread to keep track of my notes. The thermometer, with the packed ice and water read 2*C/34*F, so there is a 2* increase, if I calibrated correctly. However, when laid out in the middle of the house, the thermometer read 70*-73*F, aligning with the reading on the thermostat. (No A/C turned out for the entire day, all doors open and windows closed for circulation.)

When incubator was originally set, thermometer read 120*F, max temp, then reduced with knob. Four hours later, thermometer reached a temp. of 101*F and has maintained temperature of 101-103*F for the past 8 hours.

Note -- Must get additional thermometers for sides of bator and egg height.

 

[Arielle]

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Here is the picture of the incubator top, hopefully you'll be able to see it.

Also gonna use this thread to keep track of my notes. The thermometer, with the packed ice and water read 2*C/34*F, so there is a 2* increase, if I calibrated correctly. However, when laid out in the middle of the house, the thermometer read 70*-73*F, aligning with the reading on the thermostat. (No A/C turned out for the entire day, all doors open and windows closed for circulation.)

When incubator was originally set, thermometer read 120*F, max temp, then reduced with knob. Four hours later, thermometer reached a temp. of 101*F and has maintained temperature of 101-103*F for the past 8 hours.

Note -- Must get additional thermometers for sides of bator and egg height.

I kept a very detailed log book by the incubator, recording every variable I could see that effected the results. In the end the chicks will tell you if the temps are correct.

Temps vary all over the incubator, so if you can move the eggs around. OR rotate the lid!! ANd average the temps. Made myself crazy until I felt I understood the machine and accepted it really would do it's job.

Egg height-- that worked until egg sizes changed. lol But I still use the cups at egg height.

Watch the house temps/humidity and outside temps /humidity as they will eventually affect the LG. I remember the summer temps hitting over 100, and the house temps increased and then the LG couldn't compensate as well. I opened the top to let them cool a few times. lol

Have fun -- you will learn a lot the first run through!!

 

[cmom]

\\
Here is the picture of the incubator top, hopefully you'll be able to see it.

Also gonna use this thread to keep track of my notes. The thermometer, with the packed ice and water read 2*C/34*F, so there is a 2* increase, if I calibrated correctly. However, when laid out in the middle of the house, the thermometer read 70*-73*F, aligning with the reading on the thermostat. (No A/C turned out for the entire day, all doors open and windows closed for circulation.)

When incubator was originally set, thermometer read 120*F, max temp, then reduced with knob. Four hours later, thermometer reached a temp. of 101*F and has maintained temperature of 101-103*F for the past 8 hours.

Note -- Must get additional thermometers for sides of bator and egg height.

Good luck and have fun. Just do whatever works best for you. Is your incubator a still air or circulated air incubator? I keep my temperature around 100ºF. That is what works best for me. The past few years I have been incubating in a cabinet incubator but I still use my styrofoam incubators as hatchers.

 

[CGinJCMO]

Quick question about your brooder - how do you have the heat source set up for the little ones? I'd love to set something like this up but not sure about the logistics.

CG

 

[redkarr]

Thanks for all the great tips! I'm setting up my new LG for my first incubation and I'm very nervous and so excited! Just wondering what the cheese cloth over the fan is for?

 

[cmom]

Thanks for all the great tips! I'm setting up my new LG for my first incubation and I'm very nervous and so excited! Just wondering what the cheese cloth over the fan is for?

Not sure why anyone would put cheese cloth over the fan. Is you incubator a still air or circulated air (with or without a fan)? On my still air I did install fans but I installed them facing up so they would not blow down directly on the eggs but still circulate the air I put about a ½ spacer between the fan and the lid of the incubator. I would suggest you run the incubator for a couple of days before you put any eggs in it and try regulating it. You can put water bottles in it to act like a heat sink, which would help to regulate the temperature before you set the eggs. Also you will be able to see how much the temperature will fluctuate. If it is too much fluctuation you may need to move it to another more stable location like a closet. They are very sensitive to several different conditions and placement near doors, windows, heaters and other things can affect the temperature and humidity. Good luck and have fun...

In this incubator, this was a DC fan so I used a power supply from an old cordless phone. I have since replaced this fan with an actual fan that was made for the Little Giant Incubators.






This is an AC fan that I direct wired into one of my Hova-Bator incubators so I didn't have to put in a power supply. Some have suggested to tip it some which you could do by putting larger spacers under one side. I just made them all the same size and made the fan blow up toward the lid. This is installed exactly like the manufacture would do it.

 

[cmom]

Quick question about your brooder - how do you have the heat source set up for the little ones? I'd love to set something like this up but not sure about the logistics.

CG

I use 100 Watt light bulbs.

 

[CGinJCMO]

Quote: Thanks for letting me know. Don't want to tie up the thread so I won't ask more brooder questions.
CG

 

[cmom]

Quote: Thanks for letting me know. Don't want to tie up the thread so I won't ask more brooder questions.
CG
No problem, ask away...