Little Giant Incubator Tricks

[happyhens120]

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I've used that on mine. Put the bottoms in the bathtub and sprayed with diluted bleach. Worked like a charm!

 

[jabowery]

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I had a 45% hatch rate. All of my eggs are from my flock and all are fertilized (I have 30% roosters for free range protection).

This hatch rate may have been lowered by the lowered humidity. I didn't diagnose the unhatched eggs completely but it is pretty clear to me that low humidity was a problem, as there were some pretty serious "shrink wrap" issues in some of the failed eggs. So I've now adopted the sponge-in-jar and towel-over-troughs trick pictured previously. The hygrometer still never exceeds 70% but I'm hoping to see a new batch start hatching in a few days. This new batch I've been "turning" by shaking the entire LG every time I check the temp.

 

[cmom]

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I just use antibacterial soap, wash and rinse well. It isn't too sanitary under a broody.

 

[nickie]

I will be attempting my first hatch soon with an older LG, turner, and a new fan assembly for it. I know nothing about hatching and I am looking for tips and tricks for a first timer. Today is day 1 of research so please all info is good at this point.

Before I get started I will need to pick up a thermometer and it seems a hygrometer as well. I did a set up and test yesterday to make sure everything was working as it should with a large outdoor thermometer/hygrometer thing. Not sure of its accuracy as it was just a 3 hour test.

Thanks all.

 

[Arielle]

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There is a ton of info on the LG in old threads as well as this one.

As far as thermometers you so need to test for accuracy. While not perfect I bout 4 fish tannk types, simple mercury thermometers, and put them in a mug of warm water TOGETHER and looked for 2 things. WHat temp they registered ANd did each show the same temp?

I have noticed now that my LG is about 6 mo old and been used a ffew times, the tempurature varies in different areas of the incubator inspite of a PC fan running on 5 volt connections. I turned my eggs a lot to prevent the eggs staying in the hottest areas very long. I also use quart jars of water to temper the effects of high heat. ( I don't use a turner).

You will need a notebook for notes. LOL I wrote down info every time I turned the eggs and it helped me see when a low temp was lasting 1 day or a few days.

Humidity is the toughest to gage. You can read the RH meter, which is helpful for sure AND you must check the eggs for appropriate moisture loss. About14% weight loss by day 18. Do more research to get more of the details. If y ou are able to keep the temps steady, and the eggs turned moisture loss is the trickiest to manage. Its very doable--just takes the effort to monitor and manage. GL

 

[they'reHISchickens]

Our best tip is to put the entire LG into a large box - we use an air conditioner box. It helps to temper the room temp changes. I do any egg movement through the windows, not lifting the cover at all. Yes, it burns the hands now and then but it's a small price to pay

Also, when the turner is out, you need to adjust the temp just slightly to make up for the heat loss of the turner not running. We also use 2 thermometer/hygrometers: one that I can see through the window and another that reads distantly. I keep that readout where I can see it all the time. So long as the temp is right, I can ignore the incubator's temptations!
Room humidity is a BIG factor. We heat with a pellet stove and our winter hatches get too dry for dry hatching.

 

[jabowery]

I am just now getting over an illness that had me bedridden for a number of days. When I went to look at the LG temp, it was as though the heater wasn't running at all (medical thermometer reading well below 97 degrees). I readjusted the temperature but there should have been chicks hatching by now. It looks like the smaller run that I started earlier in December (enhanced humidity and shaking the LG to turn the eggs) has failed.

 

[ChicwannaB]

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[groundpecker]

The problem with the LG is the top and bottom did not mate properly causing heat and humidity loss. I took some thin window foam insulation tape and lined the bottom piece. I also sit something heavy on top of the Lg to make a seal. If you are losing lots of heat and humidity, check to see if the two pieces are mating properly.

 

[Arielle]

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Thanks for sharing your experience. Perhaps the shaking was too rough or didn't turn the egg enough. One study revealed hens turn her eggs 96 times a day. After reading this, I went to watch a broody. She sure fusses with those eggs; but it is periodic, not constant. So all eggs get turned the same amount? Not sure. Other studies clearly indicate that turning eggs turning the first week using standard turners is critical for embryo development. THe last week of development doesn't need as much turning. May be this is why so many people who hand turn use the X and O method and completely turn the eggs 3-5 times a day.

Sorry you were under the weather ! THe incubators often increase in temp at the end of the incubation period as those little chicks put off a lot of heat when they grow to full size within the egg.

Hope you will try again. Look at what you might change and try again.