Little Giant Incubator Tricks

[rayray983]

I am in love with my lg forced air followed a few tricks on this thread and first time incubating I got 44 out of 45 eggs to hatch!!!! Queen of kings a light bleach water solution like 1 part bleach to 6 parts water soak it and wash it out then let it set in sunny area for a day to dry also another trick buy cheap shelf linner stuff from dollar general and lay in bottom over grate at lock down makes for super easy clean up

 

[rayray983]

Small amount of bleach will be fine just make sure to let it dry in sun!! And remember if it still smells like bleach then leave it in sun longer I also breed cockatiels and this is how I clean there cages and they are super sensitive to chemicals

 

[Arielle]

Hello fellow LG users!
Currently, I'm looking at a 50% hatch rate for my first hatch. Which, I would think is okay considering that its my first time - and of course, figuring out that little styrofoam box of doom taught me a lot.

Now for the big question...how do I clean this thing? I have blood and yolk all over in one corner of the bator and poop in another and bits of that cord everywhere else! I was thinking about rinsing it out with cold water first to let everything sort of rise to the surface before boiling it. Is that alright? Or would it be better with some type of soap or powder? I'd prefer not to use bleach or any harsh chemicals since it would leave residue, which could later be toxic to further hatches once it is heated to the right temp.

Heating is likely to melt you incubotor.

I clean mine in the bath tub, using dish detergent and warm water. It can soak if need be to lossn up dried material. It dents and damages easily, so ony gentle scrubbing. Also this is only for the bottom no the top as it has the electrical parts. Check the air inlet holes for shell fragments and remove if present. Soap and water is underestimated as a cleaner.

THe top I wipe with a cloth using soapy water, and rinse with a clean rag using clean warm water.

OThers might have a different method-- you can search thru this thread for more information.


I, too, had a 50% hatch rate my first time with turkeys and chickens. Feels great to be succesful doesn't it?? Careful notetaking and evaluating the notes is key to using the LG. I have a great appreciation for hatching now!!

 

[Arielle]

I am in love with my lg forced air followed a few tricks on this thread and first time incubating I got 44 out of 45 eggs to hatch!!!! Queen of kings a light bleach water solution like 1 part bleach to 6 parts water soak it and wash it out then let it set in sunny area for a day to dry also another trick buy cheap shelf linner stuff from dollar general and lay in bottom over grate at lock down makes for super easy clean up

Small amount of bleach will be fine just make sure to let it dry in sun!! And remember if it still smells like bleach then leave it in sun longer I also breed cockatiels and this is how I clean there cages and they are super sensitive to chemicals

At that strength, soaking is probably not necessary. The foam actually absorbs water as far as I have experienced. Meaning, after a tubby , the humidity stays high for an oddly long time. SO I need to let it run before setting eggs to get a humidity that I need in the summer ( winter I usee a higher humidity so residual water is helpful).

Chickens will destroy the foam if they can peck it.

THe rubber shelf liner should bewashed between hatches. It does make clean up easier though.

 

[aart]

Hello fellow LG users!
Currently, I'm looking at a 50% hatch rate for my first hatch. Which, I would think is okay considering that its my first time - and of course, figuring out that little styrofoam box of doom taught me a lot.

Now for the big question...how do I clean this thing? I have blood and yolk all over in one corner of the bator and poop in another and bits of that cord everywhere else! I was thinking about rinsing it out with cold water first to let everything sort of rise to the surface before boiling it. Is that alright? Or would it be better with some type of soap or powder? I'd prefer not to use bleach or any harsh chemicals since it would leave residue, which could later be toxic to further hatches once it is heated to the right temp.

I would not suggest boiling it...I just soaked mine in very warm water (120 degrees F) until all the gunk soaked off, then a 10% bleach solution rinse.
Mild bleach solution should gas off after air drying for several days.

 

[cmom]

I usually let mine sit and in nice hot soapy water (put something on top to hold in down in the water) and I have used bleach. I'm careful to rinse it out well and have had no problems incubating and hatching in mine. Sometimes I use a nice stiff brush or a scrub pad.

 

[rayray983]

Hey fellow lg users I have a question for folks who have used it for awhile how many average chicken eggs do you fit into yours I incubated for first time and started with 47 eggs in it and still had about @4th of the incubator empty

 

[cmom]

Hey fellow lg users I have a question for folks who have used it for awhile how many average chicken eggs do you fit into yours I incubated for first time and started with 47 eggs in it and still had about @4th of the incubator empty

I use the turners and they only hold 42 eggs.

 

[Arielle]

Hi Rayray-- all depends on the size of the eggs too. 1 emu wont fit, and a zillion quail eggs will. lol

In other threads, people who are regular hatchers, discuss incubating and hatching upright for better hatch rates, and more vigorous chicks, and faster hatching. SOme use cut down egg cartons.

If you have all 42 hatch--they w ill need the space to move around while the others hatch unless you like to remove them to a brooder during the lockdown phase. Just a reminder to have good ventilation as all those chicks will need LOTS of oxygen.

 

[Peep_Show]

I don't use all the spaces on the turner. I avoid the one nearest the motor (extra heat may cook the egg) and the wafer's wires and hardware tend to knock out a few spaces directly underneath. Of course, if I were hatching banty eggs instead of honking huge LF eggs, I might be able to utilize that space as there would be enough headroom.

That being said, the remaining 35-ish eggs have a lovely ride on the bator bus until they reach Hatchville.