Temp & Humidity control in Hova-Bator

[chickenbike]

I have a still air Hova-Bator #1602N. I have two thermometers and two hygrometers for monitoring. The instructions say to fill the water trough as needed and then 2-3 days before hatch, fill the water troughs and then do not lift the lid until hatch is done.

Whenever the lid is lifted, the temp drops 2-3 degrees instantly, how will this affect the eggs, and what if anything, can one do?

I have 40 eggs from 3 separate roosters, all are marked. How can I mark/band the chicks if I cannot lift the lid for at least 24 hours once they start hatching?

Thank you.

 

[ChickBond 007]

Place a piece of aquarium tubing through the vent hole then put the other end under the wire rack to the fill-tray. You can add water through this tube without lifting lid.
I've had all sorts of frustration with my 1602N. It had temp spikes. I hope your experience is better.

 

[chickenbike]

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Nice idea....I'll do that for sure. It does seem challenging to keep the temp steady. Did you go with a different incubator? I am considering switching to a Little Giant, but don't know if in the end it will amount to the same thing.

 

[erijn5]

I have the same bator you do. I fill both troughs in the beginning, and then about 1/2 through incubation I add more water. I felt that it really didnt matter which trough it went in as long as the water was in there. And then on day 18 when I take them off the turners, I throw in a 1/2 a sponge soaking wet just for extra humidity. Be sure that during a hatch you open one of the red vent holes on the top for extra ventilation though. And ta da you have chicks.

You are going to loose a couple of degrees opening it to fill for water, but I notice it did not take it that long maybe a few minutes to put it back where it was. I'm on incubation #3 with mine, all has went well. Good luck!

 

[chickenbike]

Thanks erijn5. Are you in the east where humidity is higher? I'm not in an area with high humidity. I like the idea of the sponge.

 

[erijn5]

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I'm in central IL. Farmland of America ya know! No altitude here just fields!!

It worked great, my humd. is 50-55 during incubation.
And then I try to raise it to 65-70 during hatch. I had 6 hatching at one time this time and it raised it to 80. But after they were a little less exhausted and content, I took the vent caps out to reduce the humidity a bit and help them dry.

 

[MoodyChicken]

You can't stop the temp from dropping when you open it, but mama hen gets off her eggs for 10-15 minutes every day and the eggs are fine. I'm sure a sudden, short drop of 2 degrees won't hurt the eggs. Fill the troughs to the very top so you don't have to open it as often. The tube idea is great too. You can also drill a small hole above the troughs and funnel water through that hole. Put a piece of tape over the hole when you're not filling it.

To separate a few eggs, use strawberry crates (those little plastic ones). For many eggs, make a giant "plus sign" out of cardboard or plastic that runs the length and width of the bator. Basically, cut two strips of your material (I used this weird plastic cardboard stuff, it's plastic so it won't burn and I can clean it). They should not be tall enough to touch the bator's heating unit, and they should be as long/wide as the bator. Cut a slit in the middle of one of the strips so that you can put the two together. Then you'll be able to separate up to 4 different crosses.

 

[ChickBond 007]

Quote:
Nice idea....I'll do that for sure. It does seem challenging to keep the temp steady. Did you go with a different incubator? I am considering switching to a Little Giant, but don't know if in the end it will amount to the same thing.

I did finally give up on the 1602N and go with the the Hovabator 1588. It's fan circulated, and temp adjusting. I'm on my second hatch right now, and feel much more confident about it. I still have the 1602N and may just use it as a hatcher.

 

[chickenbike]

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Brilliant, thanks!

 

[chickenbike]

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I didn't know about the 1588 and 1590 models. I've read up on them and may go that route as they sound great.