Problems with Brinsea Incubators

[Cimmaron]

I have two Brinsea Ovation 56 Ex incubators that are one and two years old. When I first got them, I was getting decent hatch rates (maybe 80% of fertile eggs). My hatch rates have gradually dropped off. Now I am getting 35-50% of fertile eggs hatching! I asked Brinsea about it and have not received a response. The low hatch rate is consistent across the 5 different breeds I raise, and includes purchased hatching eggs, so I don't think it is a problem with my poultry. I have noticed that humidity readings are not consistent with the settings - last cycle both were set at 40%, but one was showing 35% and the other 55% (humidity readings were spot on when I first got the incubators). Any ideas what is going on and how to fix it?

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi,

I have three of those incubators, and not one is correct. I verify the readings with at least one hygrometer/thermometer, sometimes two.

Mostly I have Govee brand ones, but there are a few others. I have a lot due to the incubators and brooders.

One thing that can change humidity in incubators is the season, meaning if it's in a room with a vent, and did well while the heat was running, maybe isn't doing as well with the air conditioning, or vice versa. I had to block a vent behind the bureau where all three of my Brinseas are.

And yes, there's a window there. I had someone jump on me about that. I've hatched over 500 silkie eggs this year alone with no troubles. You can't see there are closed blinds and a blanket behind the curtain.

 

[RoseHawke]

Have you tried replacing the tubing with new? It does get old.

 

[Cimmaron]

Have you tried replacing the tubing with new? It does get old.

Yep!

 

[Cimmaron]

Hi,

I have three of those incubators, and not one is correct. I verify the readings with at least one hygrometer/thermometer, sometimes two.

Mostly I have Govee brand ones, but there are a few others. I have a lot due to the incubators and brooders.

One thing that can change humidity in incubators is the season, meaning if it's in a room with a vent, and did well while the heat was running, maybe isn't doing as well with the air conditioning, or vice versa. I had to block a vent behind the bureau where all three of my Brinseas are.

And yes, there's a window there. I had someone jump on me about that. I've hatched over 500 silkie eggs this year alone with no troubles. You can't see there are closed blinds and a blanket behind the curtain.

View attachment 4196243

I will look for some of those! Mine are near a window, too, but they have always been there so I doubt that is the issue.

 

[ChickenChick46]

Hi,

I have three of those incubators, and not one is correct. I verify the readings with at least one hygrometer/thermometer, sometimes two.

Mostly I have Govee brand ones, but there are a few others. I have a lot due to the incubators and brooders.

One thing that can change humidity in incubators is the season, meaning if it's in a room with a vent, and did well while the heat was running, maybe isn't doing as well with the air conditioning, or vice versa. I had to block a vent behind the bureau where all three of my Brinseas are.

And yes, there's a window there. I had someone jump on me about that. I've hatched over 500 silkie eggs this year alone with no troubles. You can't see there are closed blinds and a blanket behind the curtain.

View attachment 4196243

I just wanted to say how much I love this setup! As a new chicken mama, I aspire to reach this level of awesome some day!

 

[ChickenChick46]

I will look for some of those! Mine are near a window, too, but they have always been there so I doubt that is the issue.

Good morning! I use the Govee brand as well. I use them in my greenhouse as well as in my brooder. I like that they have an app so I can monitor the conditions from my phone via Bluetooth. Here are the ones I use, on Amazon.

https://a.co/d/2uNeu0M

 

[Debbie292d]

Good morning! I use the Govee brand as well. I use them in my greenhouse as well as in my brooder. I like that they have an app so I can monitor the conditions from my phone via Bluetooth. Here are the ones I use, on Amazon.

https://a.co/d/2uNeu0M

Amazon has many models, and I think we have just about half of them lol. I was always watching for sales, as it seems they always have deals on at least one model. The ones with wifi or Bluetooth, like yours and mine, have the app, which comes in handy! Those kind also let us calibrate them down the road and adjust if needed.

 

[ChickenChick46]

Amazon has many models, and I think we have just about half of them lol. I was always watching for sales, as it seems they always have deals on at least one model. The ones with wifi or Bluetooth, like yours and mine, have the app, which comes in handy! Those kind also let us calibrate them down the road and adjust if needed.

Lol yes they do! My husband ordered the first one for me when he built our first greenhouse, so I could monitor the temperature for my tropical plants over the winter. Then I realized how handy they'd be for monitoring chicken coops.