Simulated Natural Nest Incubation~Experiment #1 So it begins....

[cluckcluckluke]

Quote:
Ahh, so nothing came of them so you are trying again. Nice
Good luck!

 

[ronott1]

Perhaps if bee is not too busy, she can edit her first post on page one to keep a log of the goings on as well as catch the newbies up to speed so they don't have to try to read the whole thing...like I did, lol.

Nice Idea!

First Posts can only be edited for about 6 weeks and then that post closes off. It may be possible to imbed a google doc--Updating the Google Doc should allow continued editing by updating the embedded Document.

 

[Purely Prairie Polish]

If I learned one thing, it's that humidity gauges are ALL very inaccurate. Put 10 of them side by side and they will all tell you something different.

Been reading along and quite excited for the results.

I just thought I'd offer a suggestion if you are worried about how accurate your hygrometer was. It's a pretty simple procedure to calibrate your hygrometers. Uses household items everone has: a ziplock bag or sealable container, a cup or small bowl, salt, water...and a bit of patience.

I used this web site for the process:
http://exoticpets.about.com/od/herpresources/ss/hygrometer.htm

Anyway, have fun!

 

[Beekissed]

Thank you! I wasn't worried too awful much because I wasn't going to measure humidity anyway, but since I had one~sort of one~on hand I thought it would be interesting. This incubation is sort of different than most, so I'm just feeling the bottom of the nest for humidity and when it's dry I add water to the soil under the nest and on occasion will mist the feathers over the eggs a little. Trying to mimic a natural setting as much as possible and I'm not sure what the humidity is in an outside broody nest, so just winging it!

 

[coop410silkies]

Been reading along and quite excited for the results.

I just thought I'd offer a suggestion if you are worried about how accurate your hygrometer was. It's a pretty simple procedure to calibrate your hygrometers. Uses household items everone has: a ziplock bag or sealable container, a cup or small bowl, salt, water...and a bit of patience.

I used this web site for the process:
http://exoticpets.about.com/od/herpresources/ss/hygrometer.htm

Anyway, have fun!

thank you for this, Purely.

 

[Coopnana]

Very interesting thread, I've been following with anticipation for a successful hatch...it will happen.

 

[Beekissed]

Thank you!

I'm praying that it does! I've had a few temp fluctuations since yesterday but that's how it was in the first nest. Been more closely monitoring it and making adjustments to accommodate these. I hope it gets to steady out once again so I won't feel on edge about the variances.

Temps outside were below zero last night and that could have something to do with it as the temps in that room fell considerably. I think I've got a handle on it now and the closer vigilance, the thermometer being inside of water balloons, etc., should help me keep the nest stable. It's not trouble at all as it's just a matter of pushing a button up or down on the thermostat on the heating pad or laying a small feather pillow on top of the pad or taking it off. That's how easy the adjustments are made and these make the difference between temp variances of up to 2-3* either direction.

I've got high hopes for this nest as I feel that the majority of these eggs are fertile and in good shape for hatching.

 

[foxvalleyfarm]

Good luck bee. I also had temp issues last night, but mine is a lot harder to change.

 

[Beekissed]

Good luck bee. I also had temp issues last night, but mine is a lot harder to change.

Are you having trouble getting things to stabilize still? Could you post a pic of your setup and the place where you have your box? I had to take mine out of the windowsill long ago due to the inability to stabilize temps there and it is now sitting in a rocking chair next to my bed. Still next to the window but it has chair padding that insulates it from the direct cold and temp variances in that window.

 

[foxvalleyfarm]

I'm gonna try to put a pic on my thread.