"Louisiana "La-yers" Peeps"

[bigoledude]

I just finished building my incubator. It took me only 1 hour to get the temperature dead-on, with a wafer-stat. It has to be the ugliest incubator that works flawlessly! This the best incubator I've ever built. It could possibly hold about 150 eggs.

The only hygrometer I have is an old, never-been-used Acu-rite thermometer/hygrometer. In order to get a humidity reading I have to put the whole meter in the incubator. But, the only way (that I know of) to get that reading is to open the incubator and press a button on the meter. Is there a way to have it read continuous humidity instead of the time of day?

I want to buy another hygrometer that gives me a constant and accurate reading. Any suggestions?

If this Acu-rite is reading correctly, the humidity in the house is 63%. Of course, the humidity reading inside the incubator also reads 63%. If this turns out to be accurate, is there a way to lower the humidity inside the incubator if the humidity inside my house is actually 63 percent?

 

[campingshaws]

I just finished building my incubator.  It took me only 1 hour to get the temperature dead-on, with a wafer-stat.  It has to be the ugliest incubator that works flawlessly!  This the best incubator I've ever built.  It could possibly hold about 150 eggs. 

The only hygrometer I have is an old, never-been-used Acu-rite thermometer/hygrometer.  In order to get a humidity reading I have to put the whole meter in the incubator.  But, the only way (that I know  of) to get that reading is to open the incubator and press a button on the meter.  Is there a way to have it read continuous humidity instead of the time of day?

I want to buy another hygrometer that gives me a constant and accurate reading.  Any suggestions?

If this Acu-rite is reading correctly, the humidity in the house is 63%.  Of course, the humidity reading inside the incubator also reads 63%.  If this turns out to be accurate, is there a way to lower the humidity inside the incubator if the humidity inside my house is actually 63 percent?

I use a small acurite digital thermo/hygro for my coolerbator. They're about $9 at Walmart. I calibrate them first, one was 2* off and one was dead-on for temp and humidity.

The salt test is the easiest way to calibrate your hygro. I don't want to tell you wrong but it's easy to find if you do a search.

You can lower the humidity in the bator by adding a small container of dry rice. Or just wait a few days. But make sure your hygro is calibrated first.

 

[Ron Skekel]

I just finished building my incubator.  It took me only 1 hour to get the temperature dead-on, with a wafer-stat.  It has to be the ugliest incubator that works flawlessly!  This the best incubator I've ever built.  It could possibly hold about 150 eggs. 

The only hygrometer I have is an old, never-been-used Acu-rite thermometer/hygrometer.  In order to get a humidity reading I have to put the whole meter in the incubator.  But, the only way (that I know  of) to get that reading is to open the incubator and press a button on the meter.  Is there a way to have it read continuous humidity instead of the time of day?

I want to buy another hygrometer that gives me a constant and accurate reading.  Any suggestions?

If this Acu-rite is reading correctly, the humidity in the house is 63%.  Of course, the humidity reading inside the incubator also reads 63%.  If this turns out to be accurate, is there a way to lower the humidity inside the incubator if the humidity inside my house is actually 63 percent?

I find a dry hatch works best for me. As for buying a new hydrometer I wouldn't. When a hen is setting eggs she gets up to eat and drink here and there. So opening your incubator for a reading is just like a hen going for water. You can invest more if you want for most hatches here you don't need to add water till Lock down and sometimes you don't need it then. You mentioned Marans to me they are the one hatch you wouldn't add water at all not even at lock down. Pam

 

[bigoledude]

It has been quite a few years since I incubated any eggs. I was familiar with the salt humidity test. But, this acu-rite hygrometer that I have reads only from the meter itself, no probe for humidity. I was afraid that it wouldn't be such a great idea to stick the whole meter in a baggie with wet salt for 12-24 hours.

Was kinda hoping that there was an inexpensive meter with a separate probe for humidity. Saw some on ebay but their temperature reading was in Celsius only. Constantly having to do the conversion would keep me in skullcramps!

Campingshaws, in addition to your other advice, the rice idea was really great, thank you.

Hey Ms. Pam. If the humidity in my house is really this high (63 percent), I will never be able to consider my incubation method "dry hatch"!!! Would this high of humidity actually be detrimental in hatching?

One more question. On these digital hygrometers/thermometers like the Acu-rite, can I check the accuracy of the temperature by immersing the little probe in ice water? I have several old time glass tube thermometers in there now, but these old eyes....

 

[Cody A]

My dad and grandpa have decided to support me in my poultry ambitions and they're now willing to help in any way. Dad is taking down about 500 ft of 4 ft tall chain link at a friends, so he can bring it to me. Pap Paw is sending in sand. Hubby sees things falling into place, and agreed to let me buy the new SOP!

Turk that's great. Wow, 500 feet of fence, you should be able to do a lot with that. Looking forward to seeing what you do in the future.

 

[forgetful]

Anyone have any experience with slightly curved outer toes? I'm not talking about crooked toes caused by bad nutrition that rest on their sides. I've hatches a few birds whose outer toes sit correctly on the ground when spread, but curve slightly out instead of the normal straight toe. I am trying to figure out if this is genetic, nutritional, or caused by hatch conditions

 

[TurksPoultry]

Anyone have any experience with slightly curved outer toes? I'm not talking about crooked toes caused by bad nutrition that rest on their sides. I've hatches a few birds whose outer toes sit correctly on the ground when spread, but curve slightly out instead of the normal straight toe. I am trying to figure out if this is genetic, nutritional, or caused by hatch conditions

I have minimal experience w bad toes. Chick shoes made of band aids are best for correction altho it has to b done n the first day or two. I had one chick back in December who nearly servered his toe in the bator, but now u can't even tell it was only hangin by a string. As far as what caused your issues I'm sorry I can't b to much help, but all o my feetsie probs after that were due to too low incubation temp. Could it maybe be a cool spot n the bator? Do u rotate your eggs around the bator to account for warm an cool spots?

 

[forgetful]

I need to take a new photo to show how it is slightly more curved, but this is the basic idea. Their outer toe curves outward instead of staying straight. It doesn't affect their movement or how they use their foot, but I don't believe it is normal. It affects both outer toes on both feet equally, and it's not all of my chicks. I've done tons of hatches recently and only three or four have had this issue. I don't believe it is because of cool spots because all my incubators are circulated air

 

[lakones]

We had some work going on by the chicken house on Monday so Flash, my isbar roo, kept a close eye on everything happening. Even speaking his mind now and then

 

[lakones]

Got something new last week...

...had it running a couple days and all looks good so loaded her up tonight. Wish me luck!