new to me 1202

[farmin'chick]

You can order that humidifier as a complete kit for about 40 bucks.... Google GQF parts. I think MeyerHatchery sells them.

 

[Tad]

yeah, I have the waterpan and float thing, I just need some tubing and a fitting to drill into the 5 gallon bucket, I had a bunch at one time from my homebrew days, but I sobered up and sold all that stuff off.

 

[duckluck]

Quote:
It will likely be super-sensitive to adjust...barely squeaking the knob a hair will send that temp soaring or plummeting, that's how mine is. For that reason I recommend a Brinsea Spot Check thermometer, to help you adjust your temp because this thermometer is also super sensitive.

The 1202 can be a bit hard to regulate humidity on...I adjust mine by filling the pan with water and then covering it by varying degrees with foil. Then I crack a top vent to fine tune it from there. I would ALWAYS leave the bottom center vent cracked for fresh air...how much depends on how many eggs you are setting. I had 8 in there for the last set; all the chicken eggs hatched at 100% and I staggered my set a week later with two call duck eggs which turned up infertile on day 10. So I needed my vent just barely cracked open for those few eggs to breathe. You'll need more air though if you fill up the bator with a lot of eggs. Have a second plastic pan or water pail setup ready for lockdown so you don't have to open it often...lockdown means lockdown and you don't want to have to keep opening the door to pour in water. A lot of eggs may make the humidity shoot up, so have a way to measure that accurately.

Once your hatch starts, the evaporating fluids from the shells will also shoot the humidity up...be prepared and watching to be able to fine-adjust vents. After all chicks are out, make sure to open vents so you'll have the humidity drop and they can fully dry before you take them out. I threw open my top vents so no stragglers crawled out of the bottom ones. I had nice dry chicks ready for the brooder by the next morning.

 

[Tad]

I am hatching in a styrofoam hovabator, its easier to clean, when they pip I toss them in, and they hatch, prolly waaaay unorthodox by what I read but its worked like a champ so far, and the 1202 has been a easy keeper, havent had a bit of trouble, here!!

 

[Tad]

day two of the hatch, all is going well, 29 have hatched and more are pipping every hour

 

[Tad]

first day of my biggest hatch ever, 3 of 280 pipping

 

[PaintedPony]

Sounds great Tad!

I was just given a 1202 that needs a bit of work. I'll actually get it tomorrow & I can't wait! It sounds like yours is working well for you.

 

[Tad]

so far so good, if I get a good hatch on this one it will be paid off, I am really happy with it so far!!

 

[duckluck]

Good to hear it! I have call duck eggs set in the 1202 now, all have veins developing...

 

[PaintedPony]

How's the hatch going Tad?