so i have a crazy idea. probably never tried before....

[chellebyerly]

I think it would work. Tampons are not made of the same material as pads are I dont think. I know that we use them for deer hunting, put deer pee on them, hang them in a tree adn then put them in a 35mm film canister so you dont touch them.

 

[badnfluinz]

OMG I have never heard of them being used for hunting. That would explain why my son came home with one asking what it was and said he found it hanging in a tree not too long after hunting season! That is too funny But if it works, why not?

 

[saddina]

Inside a pad (like a diaper) is a powder that converts to a gel when wet. A tampon expands when wet, but lacks the gel powder, so it should work, in theory. However, how much it expands varies, so expand it first to make sure it doesn't bulk up and catch fire. Just don't dye the water blue first ok?

 

[Lyz]

tampons are made like pads...the fibers are made to absorb the moisture...they will not release the fluids...they will suck up any moisture that is in the bator as it dries out...its not like a sponge...different make up...sorry....

 

[IggiMom]

This is actually a very interesting thread, glad you started it! I didn't know that about the gel powder.

I keep pads around always because they are the best emergency dressings, especially if you want a pressure dressing, that you can find about the house, in the event of a serious injury human or beastie.

I do know that they flat out did NOT work in the incubator. If anything it got dryer and dryer.

 

[Goose and Fig]

The tampons just might work- they are just cotton, but I'd cut the string off. Pads might have silica in them like diapers- they would probably dry out the bator even more.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I think I wouldnot want one in my incubator. Tampons are made of more than just cotton and the chance of a chick ingesting something could be dangerous. Google ingredients for tampons, remember they are not food and therefor do not have to be FDA approved.

 

[chickie_mama]

Quote:
DH uses them for the exact same thing!!! They're so much cheaper than those wick thingies.

 

[pascopol]

Quote:

You will get more humidity if you increase evaporation area.

If cutting sponge in strips increases evaporation area you should get more humidity, but then there is a problem how you are going to get all those strips wet again without spilling the water on unwanted spots (eggs, light bulb if used, heating coil, wiring etc?)

 

[bigmike&nan]

I don't see why the would not work...

I was reading about folks trying to increase humidity using strips of terry cloth dishrags and towels, and sponges. There is stuff that florists use to stick flowers into when making arrangements, a styrofoam kind of material, I used it for years in small strips in my cigar humidor to help keep the humidity right... I'm going to get some of that for my Brinsea when it arrives...