lazylizzy
Chirping
Hello!
I am a new member, and have a question about ventilation.
I have a DIY incubator (styrofoam cooler, glass from picture frame, 60 year old thick glass & steel lightbulb on dimmer switch, fan from an old computer, thermo/hydrometer resting on floor next to eggs, cup with wet sponge and a tube running into the cup for water, PVC handle for turning eggs in carton without having to open up - all secured with hot glue and duct tape). I have 8 assorted fertile eggs that I ordered online, they are a variety of colors and sizes. I candled them on day 16, and all had clear air pockets and dark bulks - I even got to see a few of them twitch!
I entered lockdown two days ago (day 18), when I noticed one of my eggs began to pip. It's been sealed up tight, except for when I remove a chick. The issue that I've had is that my chicks aren't getting fully dry, even after 24 hours. I have moved the four that have hatched over the last two days out of the incubator and into the brooder. They are all dry/fluffed and eating/drinking. My brooder and incubator are both in a small and warm room. The incubator maintains heat and humidity well, staying around 101F for heat and 68-75 humidity.
The one thing I don't have is ventilation holes. In addition, the fan (which I cannibalized from my husband's old computer and wired to an old cellphone charger) broke, so the air inside is now still. Because of this, the glass has gotten so wet that I cannot see inside, and the four chicks were constantly getting water dripped on them (part of the reason I took them out).
What I'm wondering is, should I be opening the lid to my incubator to allow fresh oxygen in? I removed the PVC pipe/turning handle, and plugged the hole with a washrag and some duct tape. The hole is on the bottom, right next to the eggs, so I don't want to use that for fear of cooling the eggs. I also don't want to cut any holes in the top, and risk not being able to control the heat/humidity.
Thank you in advance!
I am a new member, and have a question about ventilation.
I have a DIY incubator (styrofoam cooler, glass from picture frame, 60 year old thick glass & steel lightbulb on dimmer switch, fan from an old computer, thermo/hydrometer resting on floor next to eggs, cup with wet sponge and a tube running into the cup for water, PVC handle for turning eggs in carton without having to open up - all secured with hot glue and duct tape). I have 8 assorted fertile eggs that I ordered online, they are a variety of colors and sizes. I candled them on day 16, and all had clear air pockets and dark bulks - I even got to see a few of them twitch!
I entered lockdown two days ago (day 18), when I noticed one of my eggs began to pip. It's been sealed up tight, except for when I remove a chick. The issue that I've had is that my chicks aren't getting fully dry, even after 24 hours. I have moved the four that have hatched over the last two days out of the incubator and into the brooder. They are all dry/fluffed and eating/drinking. My brooder and incubator are both in a small and warm room. The incubator maintains heat and humidity well, staying around 101F for heat and 68-75 humidity.
The one thing I don't have is ventilation holes. In addition, the fan (which I cannibalized from my husband's old computer and wired to an old cellphone charger) broke, so the air inside is now still. Because of this, the glass has gotten so wet that I cannot see inside, and the four chicks were constantly getting water dripped on them (part of the reason I took them out).
What I'm wondering is, should I be opening the lid to my incubator to allow fresh oxygen in? I removed the PVC pipe/turning handle, and plugged the hole with a washrag and some duct tape. The hole is on the bottom, right next to the eggs, so I don't want to use that for fear of cooling the eggs. I also don't want to cut any holes in the top, and risk not being able to control the heat/humidity.
Thank you in advance!
