newbie needing help - humidity & brooder light

[rpeters48]

Hello everyone, new to quail and new to the site and have a few questions.

1) Got a few eggs to test the bator prior to the ones I ordered arriving. I was able to maintain temp in my genesis hova-bator and humidity using second water slot, I have reached day 14, took out the turner and added water in slot 2 & 3 but humidity never climbed any higher than when in 2 only. Added to slot 4 as well and still couldn't get over 51%. Anyone have this bator and what they have to use for the humidity?

2) I'm setting up the brooder (20"x42" Rubbermaid container) and have a 125 watt heat lamp. Everything I read (on this site) seems to think it is more than enough but I cat seem to get the temp above 85 and that's only a few inches up. keeping about 18" up as most recommend I only get a few degrees above room temp of about 70.

Any thoughts or recommendations would be much appreciated
Thanks Rick

 

[tom8301]

You can add a wet washing cloth in incubator to increase the humidity. To increase temp in the brooder, put a cover

 

[rpeters48]

Thanks, I did end up adding a wet sponge which got me to about 60%.

Still trying to figure out the light seems like everyone uses between 50 and 150 watt, I tested again today and get about 74 degrees 12" away and about 206 degrees 1" away. I expect them to hatch tomorrow so hope I can figure out before hand

 

[dc3085]

I wire dimmer switches on all my brooder lights to better control the heat they put off. Make sure the floor temp is just less than 100* directly under the light amd theyll go into and out of the heat ring it creates on their own.

 

[rpeters48]

I wire dimmer switches on all my brooder lights to better control the heat they put off. Make sure the floor temp is just less than 100* directly under the light amd theyll go into and out of the heat ring it creates on their own.

Where did you find the dimmer? My issue is I cant seem to get it above 80 unless its a few inches off the floor.

 

[Tabasco Jack]

Quote:
Switch to the red 250 watt brooder lamps and raise it higher to regulate temp.

 

[rpeters48]

Quote:

Switch to the red 250 watt brooder lamps and raise it higher to regulate temp.

ya started looking for one but everywhere is out right now. I just cant figure out how some can get the 100 degrees 18" up and cant get to the temp unless im 2" above the bird.

oh well continue my search for a 250

 

[rpeters48]

So to provide an update. Found a 250 watt light and fixture (Prior fixture was rated to 150 watt only.) able to exceed temps at 18".
Just for the heck of it I added my 125 watt bulb in the fixture and am maintaining 99.5 degrees at 15" where the prior fixture I couldnt get even close. So for anyone else scratching their head wondering why they cant get anywhere close to what most people say, Check your lamp