Still Air vs Fan

[JScatt69]

Hello!
I've always used a bator with a fan.
I will be setting some Pheasant eggs for a friend and I've read that using still air bators works best for pheasants.
How will the still air differ from the forced air as far as temps and humidity?
Any tips or cautions?

Thanks!

J

 

[midget_farms]

The fan circulates the air much better so the temp can be a little lower - others please chime in with the temp diff. I don't recall.

The humidity needs to be the same with or without a fan.

The larger the incubator the more you need a fan. If your incubator is small its probably not worth the hastle. If its huge - the fan will prevent hot/cold spots at different levels in the bator.

 

[JScatt69]

Oh yeah, Its a Hova Bator 1602N

 

[knjinnm]

What is the relative humidity in your area?

 

[JScatt69]

Quote:
I live in S. CA so it changes alot. The last week its been cloudy/rainy so the humidity has been in the high 50's

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
Game birds require higher humidity than chickens at lockdown for succesful hatch.
Fan in small bators tends to dry eggs more than if there was only convection air movement (still bator). Also most of small bators (perhaps all of them) by design do not have enough water evaporation area which will compound the problem eggs having insufficient humidity.

So it is very likely one can get better results using still air with pheasants.
Game birds in general (Quail, chukars) are hatched by knowledgable and experienced keepers in still air hatchers.

 

[JScatt69]

Quote:
Game birds require higher humidity than chickens at lockdown for succesful hatch.
Fan in small bators tends to dry eggs more than if there was only convection air movement (still bator). Also most of small bators (perhaps all of them) by design do not have enough water evaporation area which will compound the problem eggs having insufficient humidity.

So it is very likely one can get better results using still air with pheasants.
Game birds in general (Quail, chukars) are hatched by knowledgable and experienced keepers in still air hatchers.

Good to know info! Thanks!!