Still Air Incubator Question

I bought a Little Giant Still Air Incubator the other day at TSC along with an egg turner, but they do not carry the circulation fans. I understand that a fan will help give a better hatch rate. TSC can order a fan but it will take about a week to come in. I will be setting some eggs on Tuesday or Wednesday and wonder if I can install the fan when it gets here without harm to the eggs.

This is my first time incubating eggs.

Now here is a stupid question: How does that egg turner work? Do the trays just tilt from side to side? Doesn't look like there is any way the eggs can totally turn over like they would if you did it by hand.

Also, is there any harm in not candling the eggs to see what is fertile? Aside from keeping a check on the temperature, I figured I would just stick them in there and let the machine do its thing until they hatch. Or would I end up with a stinky stink if non-fertile eggs weren't disposed of?

And since my questions might be silly, if you tell me I don't have any business hatching eggs I won't hold it against you!

 

Ginbart, thanks for helping me out. Oh, yes, I did know the eggs have to be taken out of the turner on day 18, but I forgot when I posted. And yes, the directions do tell about the humidity and temperature.

Ha, I understand what you mean about not being able to stand it. I am the sort of person who has to fiddle with everything, but I thought this might be one of those times it is better not to mess around too much. We'll see how I well I keep my hands off by day 10, LOL.

I sure appreciate your response!

 

Oh, dear, not a--HYGROMETER!!!!

How do I work that thing and where do I put it? On top of the eggs with the thermometer? What should it read? My directions simply say to keep water in the "moisture rings." Uh, oh, where are the moisture rings? Are they the recessed areas in the bottom styrofoam section?

Dang, I'm feeling more incompetent as I go along! But I think I'll get it. Especially with the help I'm getting. I sure am thankful to you for your input.

 

Puredelite, thank you so much. Good stuff to know about the humidity. I'm also glad to hear you did good without a fan.

Man, I just got done reading the entire 14 pages of the thread where Likesthedesert had to help that chick out of the egg and then it died. I was on pins and needles the whole time. I'll probably have a heart attack when mine are approaching the hatch day.

Glad to hear you are doing well with the cancer thing, Pure Delite. I have Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. It's been with me for about 3 years now, but since I got on the medication it has stayed in remission. I've had some bad times with side effects and went through 3 different drugs. Each time got worse so I'm back on the original now. It is painful, but I can put up with it. I also have spinal stenosis which feels real good, let me tell you! And in October I had open heart surgery for what is called Tetralogy of Fallow. I had my pulmonary valve replaced, a section of muscle taken out just below the valve, an artery rebuilt and a hole patched. I was born with it, but only knew of the murmer since I was a kid. I got into surgery just in time. Don't know if it is a world record, but the doctors in my area know of no one my age that has had this defect and lived anywhere near my age. Just turned 47. One specialist knew of a 19 year old that got surgery and lived. Most kids have surgery at one year old. Everyone keeps telling me the Lord isn't done with me yet, and I guess they are right. Just can't figure out why I get to keep on trucking when lots of better people have gone a lot earlier in life.

Well, thanks again for the help. I'll take all I can get and I'm not bashful about it.