Little Giant Incubator

[WilsonChickies]

Hey y’all that are familiar with the Little Giant! I’m having trouble keeping the humidity up in the 60s for my chicks to hatch in my incubator.
-I have plenty of warm water in it
-I usually have the two red plugs out and partially covering the holes to circulate the air

There is a fan and a heater in this incubator. The humidity has remained between 55 and 60 this whole time, and the temp has been between 99.0 and 100.8. But I know the humidity needs to be higher for hatching. We have candled and the chicks are developing great -and so far everything has been very smooth sailing! I just don’t want them to be shrink wrapped while they’re trying to be born.
Thank you!!

 

[WilsonChickies]

Also I got this incubator second hand, and the instructions were not with it. I’ve been researching on my own up until this point to keep everything going!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm familiar and have used two of those embryo executioners.
What day are the eggs on?
I think 55 is too high for the first couple weeks of incubation and 60 should be sufficient for hatching. To raise it, you can cut strips of sponge for the water trays. Surface area rather than quantity raises humidity.
You may want to rig a hose and funnel so you can raise humidity during pipping without needing to open the incubator. If the glass gets condensation,the humidity is too high.
You are very fortunate the temperature has stayed so steady.
Mine always had big dips and spikes in temperature.
Good luck.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

My first LG was second hand and had been out in the woods for a couple years subjected to all sorts of weather. It had broken parts and the glass had come out. I used water putty to repair the Styrofoam and replaced the glass. I guess I was lucky I got any chicks out of it. The college I teach for bought another LG for me and that new one was just as bad at maintaining temperature.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

When you candled did you verify the air cells were growing apace? I think 40% is better the first couple weeks but every egg is different in porosity.
I don't remember what the instructions said but I think both plugs stay in for the first several days, one removed for the next 10 days and both removed for the last week when the embryo needs more oxygen.

 

[WilsonChickies]

So the humidity mostly has ranged in the lower to mid 50s this whole time with spikes into the 60s, but rarely. Should have specified that better. I will attach a picture of a candled egg and y’all can tell me what you think!

I will definitely do the sponge thing, thanks!

 

[WilsonChickies]

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What day is that egg on?

 

[WilsonChickies]

What day is that egg on?

Day 11!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Is that clear part the small end or fat end of the egg?
I'd like to see the fat end for the size of the air cell.