Little Giant Incubator Tricks

[Arielle]

I'm having trouble hatching eggs .out of 2 batches Nothing 80 some eggs.today I started a new batch .i filled the tray with water ,put the egg turner in ,filled with eggs, got the temp up to 99.5 .what am I doing wrong? This batch the last 3 day I will take out the turner and put in (2 jars with a sponge ) which I haven't done before and not open the lid. Please reply keith

Hi KEith1 !

If you are using the LG, and not living in a desert or other very dry climate, remove the water fromt he trays. After the water is dumped, it willstill need a few days to finish evaporating. I would write done the RH twoic a day all thru this hatch.

Next find a diagram of the air cells that appeals to you. GOogle comething like air cells at 7th , 14th and 18th day of incubation. Print it out. Put it where you candle and keep it handy. YOu will candle several eggs at day 5 and compare to the diagram-- this is practice. THe air cells will be less than the diagram. Then on day 7 candle again. Given the start of these eggs I expect the air cells to be too big, and the goal is to keep the air flow going well thru the incubator to get those eggs dried to the proper level by day 18.

OK??? Questions?

Please ask what ever questions you have, we'll get you there.

 

[quailtrail]

IAF is spot on.

If no fan , then temp of 102 ON TOP of the eggs is correct. 

ok thats what I did

 

[quailtrail]

What I mean is conquor hatching unshipped eggs, THEN go for the shipped eggs.  Shipped eggs on average is about 50%, my own personal average is much lower than that, and ranges from 0% to 60%. Many factors in shipped eggs,  so just learn how to hatch to begin with.  What has been the RH until now and have you candled to look at the development of the air cells???

absolutely on nonshipped eggs.... aor cells showed on some to be good.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Great!!!

Quote: Good as in good shape or good as on taget for proper size for number of days incubation?

 

[quailtrail]

Great!!! 

Good as in good shape or good as on taget for proper size for number of days incubation?

both

 

[Arielle]

Quote: That is a good start then.

 

[quailtrail]

Well hoping we hatch tomorrow! !!!

 

[SAHchickenmom]

Hi everyone! I just put 12 eggs in lockdown in my LG. They were in my cabinet bator to start. I have never had chicks hatch and survive before so this is kind of my first hatch. I wanna make sure everything is perfect! Humidity is holding steady at 60%, is that high enough? Some people say to lower the temp a degree at ld, is that right? I candled all 12 eggs and 11 definitely had movement, 1 I wasn't sure about. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[dstinett]

Mine are expected to hatch today in my LG too. I'm leaving temp at 101 (still air). I added baby jar of water and got humidity to 65% I'm a nervous wreck. They are in a classroom. First try did not work. I've never had trouble at home. I don't know why they all quit developing at 2 weeks. At least I know these chicks are still alive. Wish me luck.

 

[cmom]

Hi everyone! I just put 12 eggs in lockdown in my LG. They were in my cabinet bator to start. I have never had chicks hatch and survive before so this is kind of my first hatch. I wanna make sure everything is perfect! Humidity is holding steady at 60%, is that high enough? Some people say to lower the temp a degree at ld, is that right? I candled all 12 eggs and 11 definitely had movement, 1 I wasn't sure about. Any advice would be appreciated!

For the first 18 days I keep my humidity around 35%. The eggs need to loose moisture while they are developing. If the humidity is too high, the eggs can't looses enough moisture. Condensation builds up in the air cells and when the chicks pip internally they can drown. I sometimes candle around day 10. Sometimes you can see the embryo moving and sometimes not. When I set the eggs for hatching (in lockdown) I then raise the humidity to around 70%. My temperature stays within +/- .2ºF of 99.5ºF. My hatches are very good. I hope this is helpful. I tried many different combinations of Temperature and humidity. This is what has worked for me. I incubate in my cabinet incubator but use my styrofoam incubators as hatchers. Good luck and have fun...