Little Giant Incubator Tricks

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can you post a pic of what the pc fan looks like with the cheese cloth on it? I'm having a hard time picturing what it would look like, i'm using a 12v pc power source fan hanging from two screws.

1) Get a 12VDC power adapter and computer fan from some computer nut you know or, failing that, Radio Shack. (Being a computer nut myself, this was easy.) Cut off the connector and splice it to the computer fan. If it doesn't turn when plugged in, try reversing the wires. Use (preferably electricians) tape to insulate the wires from each other. Cut out a little square of cheese cloth slightly larger than the face of the fan. Glue one side of the cheese cloth to one side of the computer fan (hot glue guns work for me but you might get away with superglue) . Pull the cheese cloth tight and glue down the opposite side. Do the same for the remaining sides. Why all this trouble? Hey, if you had the money to buy the expensive LG fan accessory, why buy the LG in the first place?

 

[quintinp]

I was wondering what the cheese cloth was really for? I am guessing you did it to keep from forced blasts of air on the eggs. I really don't see what the cloth is for.

 

[cmom]

I don't know what the cheese cloth is for either except if the fan is placed where the chicks could come in contact with it. In that case I have used either ½ x ½ wire mesh or ¼ x ¼ wire mesh over the side the chicks could come in contact with the fan.

 

[Arielle]

My LG measures different temps in different locations. It didn't do this initally. SHould I be concerned? Can this be fixed?

I rotate the lid to compensate and hope for the best.

 

[cmom]

Is it a still air or circulated air incubator? That is usual for still air incubators.

 

[Arielle]

Yes, it is a still air with a PC fan added. THe fan is not as effective as I would like. I only had a 5 volt adaptor rather than a 12 volt. So IMO the fan is slower and less effective.

How do you deal with the differences in temp around the incubator?

 

[hdowden]

ummmm i guess i lucked ut on my lg cause i dont have a problem in the world with it and i'm doing a dry incubation now

 

[silkie_sue]

ummmm i guess i lucked ut on my lg cause i dont have a problem in the world with it and i'm doing a dry incubation now

I agree with hdowden. I do think there is a learning curve to using a LG but once you have it figured out, it's all good. LG's are all I have ever used and I have very good hatches unless the eggs are shipped and damaged. I just hatched 17 Serama eggs over the weekend. Here's the proof...

 

[Arielle]

I'm not complaining about the LG. I get plenty of chicks and turkeys to hatch.

I'm asking about the differences in temps around the incubator that others have experienced, and how to deal with it. I'm looking for new solutions. Currently I rotate the top every time I turn the eggs. And with the smaller batches I usually do, I can put in 2-4 quart sized mason jars filled with water.

I would like to fill the incubator and use a turner maybe, so the higher temps are a concern to me.

 

[cmom]

I would think since you added a fan regardless of the voltage it should circulate the air. The fan that comes with the incubator blows the air out of the sides of the fan where a computer fan blows the air down. Also how much clearance do you have between your fan and where you mounted it? If it is too close it inhibits the air flow and it will not be as good. On one incubator I put the fan at 1/4" and on another incubator 3/8th" also most have a hole in the top where a fan is normally mounted which is needed to draw air in. If you are concerned about a chick getting it's head in the fan I did cut a fine mesh wire and put it over the fan so no way a chick could get it's head in it. Good luck...