sponges for hatching

[dustponds10]

What sponges do you all use for hatching? Does it matter? I have a cabinet incubator and its my first time.

 

[debilorrah]

I would try first to see if you can get your humidity up without sponges. If you live in a dry climate though, use them from the start. Just regular old generic sponges. I prefer pink.

 

[HenMaster]

I use the cheap Wal-mart ones.

 

[chickensNpoodles]

I use the Cello brand sponges and had great luck with them. I didn't use sponges this last time and I have to cull alot of eggs so far because they were quitters. My next hatch I will go get some new sponges. One tip that I would like to suggest is to sterlize your sponges every other day either by boiling them in a pot of water, or steaming them in the microwave for 2 minutes. That keeps them clean and bacteria free.

 

[Roscoe Red]

When I use a sponge ,I try to position it below a small vent hole in the top so I can add water with a straw and NOT open during lockdown. I take 3 straws and insert them into each other,then I take a forth straw cut a angle on one end insert it in a bottle of water put my finger over the end to hold the water in it and release it into the other straws ,works great.

 

[critterranch]

Quote:
i do this too in my Lg Still air but i use a meat flavor injector with 8 inches of aquarium tybing added for length. the flavor injector was 1.00 at walmart. it holds a full ounce of water so you can even measure the water. if you have ocd i can even stuck water out of water channels if i put in too much.

 

[Coopa Cabana]

Try to find sponges that are as porous as possible - not densely packed. Humidity comes from the evaporation of the water - and is in direct proportion to the SURFACE AREA. So the more porous the sponge, the greater the surface area, and humidity levels will be better.
Scotch has a new kitchen sponge out - made of natural fibers. (It's the tan one.) That's what I used last year - worked fine. I also boil mine as others suggested - just to make sure they are as sterile as possible.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
I go to Menard's Home center and buy humidifier filters.. then I cut them into whatever size I want and put them into the water pan with about 1/4 inch sticking above the surface of the water..

 

[dustponds10]

Sounds good all. Thank you for all your suggestions. I think I am going to see what i can get it tobefore I add a sponge but probably will just end up putting one in on lock down anyways.

 

[bkwurth]

Quote:
i do this too in my Lg Still air but i use a meat flavor injector with 8 inches of aquarium tybing added for length. the flavor injector was 1.00 at walmart. it holds a full ounce of water so you can even measure the water. if you have ocd i can even stuck water out of water channels if i put in too much.

I haven't used it yet, this is my first hatch. And I think I read it on here somewhere. I bought a tube for a fish tank and a small funnel in the craft department at wal-mart. Sounds easy enough, hope it works.