Little Giant Incubator Tricks

[cmom]

Great thread! I didn't get thru all 71 pages (lol), but I still can't figure out how to attach the milk jug lid for a knob. That little post thermostat stump is a little too touchy. I used a skinny screw about an inch long and can't reach anything. It's threaded at the end? Please tell me now to attach a knob. Thanks.

With a small screw.

 

[cmom]

I was gifted a LG with a fan and egg turner to use in my third grade classroom. Because of it's reputation for being fiddly, I decided to give it a test run at home first. (I'm also running a Brinsea Mini in the classroom.) I set a dozen eggs eggs in the LG March 15. The temperature has been holding steady at 100 degrees, but occasionally it dips to 98. I am afraid to turn the thermostat up and get a temp spike. Should I let it be or what?

I wouldn't worry. I have a Hova-Bator that goes from around 98.5 to 100 and I have had very successful hatches in it. I have my LG's in a room that is closed off so the temperatures keeps pretty steady. Some people even put them in a closet. Remember when a broody sits on eggs, she will get off daily to eat, drink and poop. I set my thermometer at the same level as the eggs.

 

[tommysgirl]

so if mine is wavering between 99.7 and 100.2 I should be OK? It's empty now but will be setting eggs 4/5

 

[Texiken2000]

Sounds like you've got it pretty much figured out. People DO manage really good hatches in these incubators, but it seems to take a good amount more skill than with some of the 'easier' bators out there. It's not nice having failed hatches to begin with, but I think in the end you'll end up with a better understanding of the incubation process and a better ability to troubleshoot bad incubations than a lot of other people with the set-and-forget bators.


Out of interest, if you don't open the lid, how do you turn the eggs now?

 

[Texiken2000]

Im new to this site and trying to figure out how to go about it. i ordered an incubator this morning and can't wait for it to get here. contemplated on making one myself but just didn't have the confidence.

 

[cmom]

so if mine is wavering between 99.7 and 100.2 I should be OK? It's empty now but will be setting eggs 4/5

That temperature range is ok. I usually run my incubators around 100 degrees. You may want to put some rocks or water bottles in with 4 or 5 eggs. The more eggs the better temperature stability.

 

[tommysgirl]

thank you cmom! I am still going to work at getting it to sit at 100 but if I don't get precisely there 100% of the time that I all is not lost. I am setting 2 doz eggs ON 4/5 sorry for the confusion

 

[Dylon]

I have mine in a closet. It seems to be maintaining a constant temp.. I also notic my closet is warmer. Lol

 

[blzzrdqueen]

I have mine in my downstairs bathroom. It maintains a good 72 degrees in there, and when I want to candle, I just turn on the heat in the bathroom and close the door and it keeps my eggs nice and warm while the bator is open

 

[laseterlass]

So a ? For an L.G. still air. If chicken eggs are at 101 would quail eggs having a lower profile, be at a lower temp?