Still Air Bator

[GreenGoddess]

Ok... As most of you know, I built my own bator! Unfortunately because I don't have a single extra CPU anywhere because we threw them all out when we moved at the beginning of the year, I don't have a fan to put into it... I know the temp is gonna be more difficult to perfect but, what is the ideal temp for a still air bator.. If you see the pics I posted for my bator, I have the light one one side and the eggs will go on the other side, which is where i am taking the temp.. Also, what kind of fluctuation is ok? 1/2 degree, 1 degree? Just wanting to know how much flexibility I have.... One more thing... Just to make sure, humidity for days 1-18 is 45-55% and days 19-21 go up to 70%, right? When I get my eggs, i want to give the little babies the best chance!!

Goddess

 

[natchlaly]

I have a still air bator and from day 1 my temp has fluctuated constantly from 99.1 - 99.9. I run at 45/50% days 1 - 18 and 60/70% 19 to 21. I am now on day 19 and am on lockdown. My eggs are rocking which is a good sign and have my

Will let you know how the hatch goes.

 

[Barred Rocker]

I've always heard that an extra degree for a still air bator is prefered. I still get a little panicky when I see it go over 100.5 but I've had some decent hatches with the slightly higher temp but they almost always show up a day early. I've got a cpu fan in my still air bator but I actually have a harder time regulating the temp and humidity when it runs, my temp drops dramaticly as well as the humidity so I just left it off. I may tinker with it this winter and try to perfect it to run with a fan next year but for now it's still air.

 

[Chicky Tocks]

I too have a homemade bator and do not use a fan (although I've collected about 5 of them *giggle*) I've hatched 2 successful batches in my bator without the aid of the fan and am currently on my third. First hatch was 85%, second hatch was about 60%

Mine goes between 100 and 102 degrees. One way to help keep the temps from big fluctuations is to put in a heat sync. i.e. a jar of water with a lid on it, before you put your eggs in. This will help to regulate the temps. If my bator goes over 102, I get concerned and I'm pulling plugs or cracking the top. I watch my eggs like a broody hen. My humidity is at 45% right now and I will increase it to about 60-65% on day 18. There is nothing in my bator at the moment that is keeping my humidity where it is. It's just good old southern humidity.

 

[GreenGoddess]

Quote:
Wow.. Everything i keep reading say to keep the temp around 100-101.. Maybe that gives me a little more leeway with the temps as long as I dont let it go lower than say, 99.5 and 101?... Good luck on the hatch.. Post lots of pics!! Love seeing those fuzzy butts!!!

Goddess

 

[GreenGoddess]

Quote:
Sounds good.. If i can find a jar small enough, I will definitely try that... At the moment, i am testing my hygrometer to see how wrong it is.. i already KNOW the temp is off by 2 degrees.. but, at least I know and can get a better hatch rate...

Goddess

 

[natchlaly]

JUst to let you know I have eggs rocking and heard my first cheep coming from my bator this morning. Day 21 starts at 12noon on saturday so still have a while to wait

am really keeping my fingers crossed for these guys my chicks that hatched last weekend died. the lightbulb blew after I had gone to bed so they never dried n being too cold killed them

 

[natchlaly]

well one of my arucana eggs has pipped and the fuzzbutt is chirping its little head off

 

[ma2babygurl13]

a cheap source for a fan is to try a thrift store... they sell power supplies and tons of other stuff that you can re use to make incubators... We got our power supply for our fan for $1 at our local thrift store...

 

[GreenGoddess]

Congrats and

Goddess