temp/humidity in homemade incubator

[chickenlittle32]

What should the temp and humidity readings be in a homemade incubator? Another question...should we drill some holes for fresh air?

 

[chickenlittle32]

??

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

99.5*F with a fan 101*F at the top of eggs if there is no fan, about 45% humidity the first 18days 65% the rest for chickens. An ye drill air holes top an bottom.

 

[2txmedics]

99.5-100.0 NO MORE THAN THAT....38% to no more than 43%....thats what I use...no plugs in, no water all for the first 18 days....room temp 85, no draft room. DO NOT OPEN bator at all for nothing.

day 18 bump up humidity....and to add water, I DO NOT OPEN my bator...I add it through a tiny hose, through the vent holes that are on top of my bator....

 

[chickenlittle32]

Right now I am using a 250 watt heat light...I was wondering if I could use a 250 watt red heat lamp instead? (the light is too bright at night lol) I finished calibrating the thermometers...thanks 2txmedics for your help with that. I still have to drill holes in the cabinet...if I am right its 2 of them...one question..should it be one on each side?

 

[2txmedics]

wow, 250...I havent heard it being that high....40 watts yes...hmmmmm...and your welcome. how far off was it? your meter???

 

[Barred Rocker]

Not trying to be a smartie. But it seems that a 250 watt bulb will be fine if your incubator is 4 foot by 4 foot box. Most small incubators only use one 25 watt bulb. I've got two 15 watters in mine and the size is 18 inches by 10 inches. But whatever works to maintain a 99.5 temperature in whatever you're using should be fine.

 

[chickenlittle32]

The cabinet is a 3L x 3w x 2d.. Its a lil big

My accurite was marking 70 and my springfield was marking 77. Would it be better to add another light fixture and use lower wattage bulbs?

 

[EAST TEXAROO]

Quote:
I had to run 2 100w with 2 5in computer fans one top one bottom to stabilize the temps in my good sized dorm fridge. Now its 99.5-99.7 throughout the entire bator. It might be a good Idea to run 2 lights and 2 fans

 

[chickenlittle32]

Does everyone use a computer fan? I am using an old refrigerator fan...in such a large space... i may need another fan...