NEWBIE looking for advice and any helpful tips

[Gypsy07]

Quote:
If your bator has a fan, 99.5 is definitely the correct temperature.

If your bator has no fan (known as a still air bator) I think the correct temp is 101.5 measured at the level of the tops of the eggs...

 

[Arielle]

x2

I have an LG.

You will want to read CHooksChick's BYC page on using the LG with a turner and her dry hatching method. Every detail you need to manage the LG.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=14596-incubation-cheat-sheet&PHPSESSID=6a9ef75252d048761e502795e39964f4


I don't weigh my eggs, I don't have a good enough scale. So I use a diagram to visually look at the air cell and match it to diagrams. Adjust your humidity accordingly.


http://www.poultryconnection.com/quackers/aircell.html



I had a spike because I turned to temp knob the wrong way. Be sure to set up your top so you can read it easily and not upside-down like I did.LOL I also lost an egg when turning eggs. YOu shouldn'thave this problem with a turner.

I have read that when you remove the eggs from the turner, the temp may change. THe eggs are also contributing to the heat at this point, so you must watch carefully for any changes in the temp. SMALL CHANGES.


GL

 

[cmom]

Temperature should be 99.5 forced-air, or 101.5 in still air measured at the top of the eggs.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
The temp of the eggs don't change much when you remove them from the turner and set them for hatching. Even a broody will get off her nest for a few minutes to do her business. It takes quite awhile for the internal temp of the eggs to go down the same as when you put them in the incubator it take several hours for the internal temp of the eggs to come up to temp. I have an LG too. I use it for hatching. I did steal a BYC members idea for controlling the temp and it works great. I attached a milk bottle cap to the thermostat knob and now with the slightest movement I can adjust the temp much easier.

 

[Faerytalefarm]

Quote:

Is your LG a still air?

 

[cmom]

Here is a link for the air cell. http://www.poultryconnection.com/quackers/aircell.html

 

[critterrun]

yes it is a still air

I am at 97 on floor 101.1 by where the top of eggs should be

Thanks so much for all the advice
Deb

 

[ILOVELEGHORNS]

Quote:
Very true. The specialty chickens tend to be more difficult to hatch and more pricey, per my experience. Common Chickens like Rhode Island for example, tend to be more hardy and more forgiving for the first time novice. Enjoy! I am soooo Addicted to hatching myslef. Have a couple hatching as we speak!

chicks are the cutest little buggers and nothing compares to helping to bring new life into this world.

 

[ILOVELEGHORNS]

Another word of advice, is try to use latex (or similar) gloves when handling eggs. If you are sick, or even if you are not, don't cough or breath on them. You also do Not want the temp to fluctuate too much. Thats a recipie for disaster. I have a still air LG and I have best results at 101.3F useing a digital hygrometer/thermometer positioned in the center of incubator. I hand turn my eggs. If you have any further specific questions, I will be more than happy to guide and/ or help out.

 

[Cynthia12]

Welcome Deb..and Iloveleghorns...

I love leghorns too!

I have hatched for a few years. I also don't worry over the humidity as much as the temp in the beginning. Still air, very important to keep that temp around 100, or 101..sometimes..at least for me when I used mine for hatching, it was hard to have it stay around there. I had it spike to 102 a few times, and if you have that happen for a long period of time..even a half day, it can be bad news. Watch that temp. Better a bit low on the still airs, then when or if it decides to spike, it only goes to 101. I fill the trays with water, when it gets close to dry, I put more in. I just don't worry about the humidity too much. Then for lock down, on chicks, I always have it between 60 and 65..may have to put some sponges in there to bring it up to that.
Hey, good luck on your winning..think positive!