Power Outage on Day 21! Help!

[tb90435]

Today is day 20 on my chicken eggs incubating. We just got a flyer on our door stating that the power will be out from 9AM to 3PM tomorrow (the 21st day). So far one chick has hatched. A couple more have pipped. I am worried! Will they make it? Does anyone have suggestions of what I should do? The power company picked the WORST day to do this!

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
When the power goes out, pack up the bator and carefully take it to your car. Turn on the heat. Let it run. Make sure the tank is full.

 

[Ban seabhag]

I just had a power outage today at day 14 again ...

("bleep" power company ) I use hot water bottles in (or next to) the incubators if there's room, put blankets over to keep the heat in, them , then my son started his small generator and we put a cord to the incubators only.... They can usually take a short power outage with no problems, and its possible water bottles or jars will keep the heat up far enough for long enough. I made sure they were closed so the humidity wasn't affected too much. I am sure other people here have more ideas for you.

 

[aveca]

. Keep a generator and couple gallons of gas handy or move it by wood stove? all else fails run it in the car.. hope you dont loose any but if you do...Send the electric company the bill for your loss, include every day of your work monitoring it and future egg loss subtract feeds and vet supplies .

 

[kiltednerd]

I would go to the Wal Mart or whatever is in your area and buy a Battery Backup that is made for computers. It will run anything, they just rate them for PCs. If you get a good mid-range one it should last an incubator a long time. You could plug it in now and then switch your incubator over to it....


Something I thought a few years ago when I had the same problem....

 

[deek248]

this is what I did after hurricane Rita knocked power out for a few days and I lost most of my VERY EXPENSIVE salt water fish. The dayum auto standby diesel generator start and switch over failed while we bugged outta town.
I got one of those computer uninterpretable power supply's. Took out the little batteries that came with it and hooked up 2 large deep cycle trolling motor batteries in their place.
Now the one backup water pump I have plugged into it will run for 3 days straight without charging! I do have a generator so as long as I have diesel for the gen. this U.P.S. will keep the tank running. Provided the auto start and switchover will work. Vendor replaced the first one and gave me a few bucks to help cover the fish loss.

Anyway..... This worked perfect for the last storm we had, hurricane Gustave. Didn't lose any fish.

You could do the same for a 'bator and it should power it for a week or more depending on bulb or heater wire wattage and amount and size batteries used even if you do not have a generator.

I have my DIY 'bator plugged into it now just in case the power goes out. Cooking some Mallard and Rouen eggs now.
Hope this helps.

 

[tnchickenut]

Do you have a friend or relative in a nearby town? If you do, take the incubator and all there... keep the heat in the car up (even if it is uncomfortable to you) and get them there until after 3pm. Then, do the same in reverse.

I'd put towels or something over the incubator when you take it out into the winter air too.

Good luck!