Question for you Little Giant incubator owners?

[Painted Spirit]

I've had a hard time keeping the humidity up in my bator so I leave both plugs in (I do have a fan) and the last days I put electrical tape halfway over one I take off. Otherwise my humidity won't go over 50%. I've never had a problem with O2.

 

[Whitehouse Quail]

I always keep both out... just my opinion

 

[they'reHISchickens]

We held our breath tonight and had to add water, so we did a real quick representative candle. Looks like somethings are growing in the eggs we checked. Formal candling next Wednesday- or before if we have to add water again.
And I took out one plug.

 

[_Randall_]

Okie Dokie.........I'm leaving the one closest to the front "OUT", and the one above the fan "IN" for starters......
Thanks for all the input....

 

[PeepsInc]

I opened the small holes with a pencil tip. On day 18 I take out the plug in the center. When they zip I pull the second plug & mist the eggs with warm water in a mist bottle.

 

[rayroberts]

I wish I had read up on the LG before I went and bought one but now consider myself an expert on the problems this is what I have found
If you are getting good results with your LG you probably have got one with good sealing between the top and bottom some of the LG will not seal properly there are large gaps arond the edges this can be corrected by either some sealing foam strips and some additional weight on the top I use 3lb scuba diving lead weights or by useing some packing tape around the edge
My LG came with a faulty fan that wouldnt let the temp under 110 but the manufactuer was aware of the problem with some of the fans and sent a replacement
Haveing the top stuck down with tape
poses a problem getting water in so a piece of clear plastic tubing can be threaded down through one of the holes on top and down into the water tray and filled with a suringe you dont have to open the bator untill lockdown
Personally I run my humidity at between 30 - 40% and depending on the season often run dry not adding any water untill lockdown then increase humidity to about 70%
My hovabator gives none of these problems and is so easy to set up just wish I had brought a second one
Cheers Ray

 

[Buffalo Chopper]

Incubator says to remove one red plug for first 18 days. however my humidity drops to 25% if i put plug back in humidity rises to 60% I open the top to turn the eggs over 3 times a day which completely changes the air inside. So my question i guess is if constant fresh air or good humidity levels are more important. little giant no fan

 

[Buffalo Chopper]

Little Giant worked awsome. !00% hatch Rate. 20 out of 20 eggs hatched on day 21. i left both red plugs in the entire time B/c in the great north east in march the humidity is basicly 0% I added wet sponge for extra moisture. I added two more sponges for lock down period. there are little holes on top that allow plenty of ventilation. also the seal between top and bottom wasnt perfect. i turned eggs only twice a day. The thermometer that came with incubator was calibrated correctly. I DID NOT use fan kit. Temperature was 98 Degrees at bottom of incubator and 102 on top of eggs. My advice: dont worry too much about it. Just do what your gut says. Hatched 3 americaunas 1 americauna leghorn. Barred rock rooster crossed with new hampshire reds and leghorns. One of my reds hatched black chicks and yellow ones from same rooster!?! wonder if they are boys/girls? heres some pics.


Day 1





Day 3 candling





LockDown Begins!!!!!






Same rooster and hen Kinda weird



Somehow i also got a baby owl

 

[sallywithchickens]

me, too!!! (needing all the help I can get!) Thanks Buffalo Chopper! Can't get any better than 100% hatch rate! my first one seems to be a 0% hatch rate on day 25 (0/24).

I think it had everything to do with humidity. Will try again starting tomorrow and will follow your method. wish me luck ~

 

[sallywithchickens]

We had some naturally hatched a couple of years ago and got one that looked like an owl - my granddaughter named her Owlie - she turned out to be a very beautiful Wyandotte/Buff Orpington cross and an excellent layer.