Temp problems, need help!

[speckledhen]

Always have an extra wafer ready to go, so even if yours is operating properly, go find another one. I had a brand new wafer blow the seal and dispense ether into the bator within a week of using it-it was a test run with no eggs, thank goodness.

 

[Barnyard]

Oh wow! I didn't know that would happen. I will do my best to find one tommorrow. Thanks.

 

[hinkjc]

You have got to try to get that temp down to 99.5 range. Over 100 is too high and is going to cause some problems with your hatch. I'm not just talking early babies here..it can get ugly, including unobsorbed yolks, open belly buttons and so on. Please keep trying and find a new wafer tomorrow. The eggs will appreciate the cool down, while you replace it. If you do replace, do it early in the day and when you will be there to monitor for any necessary adjustments. The new wafer will be a little wacky until you get the temp set right again..so don't panic and work with it. As long as you aren't too low or too high for a couple hours you'll be fine. Good luck.

Jody

 

[Barnyard]

Ok Jody!! Thankyou so much. I am not sure if I am gonna be able to find one, I am gonna do my best though.

I have been so paranoid this whole time and now I am even worse. Wouldn't you know on day 14 that stinking bator would act up.

I did get my husband to check at a farm supply in albany today and they didn't have one and said that they didn't even know of anywhere around here that would have one.

 

[hinkjc]

Stay calm...I know it's tough because you want everything right...and I'm probably not helping by telling you it's not quite right. I really am just trying to help so you have success. Here's a hug to make you feel better.

Have you tried tightening the wafer a little tighter? Careful not to go too tight, but make sure it is snug and see if that helps. If it is already really tight...you could try to loosen it a little. Sometimes the expansion is what causes the fluctuations, although usually once you have a wafer set, it rarely needs adjustments.

I do want to point out that this is the normal time for temps to climb (day14) a bit due to embryo development. You should have had to turn the knob back almost half circle by now. If you didn't, you could try that too.

Jody

 

[hart31]

Quote:
Everyone is making me nervous. I'm using a control from an old electric frying pan in my homemade bator. Earlier this week it was jumping around a bit more than I like but since I filled it with eggs last night it has settled at 99.5 in the water wiggler and seems very stable now. I'm having a hard time keeping the humidty up though. Our household humidty is very, very dry right now.

I have another old galvanized incubator I'm going to set up this weekend and you're making me nervous about that 30 year old wafer

 

[hinkjc]

I'm sorry...but to help your humidity, you could try adding a humidifier to the room. Even those small ones near the bator are helpful. Or add fresh new sponges or wet paper towels crumpled a little, so they hold water a while and don't dry out so quick. I worry less about humidity than I do temp. As long as humidity is around 40-50 you're ok and then up to 65-70 at the end (and dont open the bator during hatch) you'll be fine.

Jody

 

[hart31]

I've got a 11 x 15 pan with water under the eggs in front of the fan, I put a wet rag in one corner and that got me up to 40% for most of the day. It was back down around 30% when I got home from work. We keep draping wet towels over the cast iron radiators and have a couple of pans of water set on them too. Usually that will keep the house up to a comfortable level. With the weather we've had lately none of my digital hygrometers will even register in the room where the incubator is. Our old vaporizer/humidifier died.

I will hopefully get somewhere to buy another one in about 10 days. Until then I'll just have to watch the bator closely and keep it up with the wet rags .

 

[Barnyard]

Thankyou Jody! I have turned the knob half circle earlier and the temp is 100.8 So I went in there and turned it a little more to see what that does. So I would say almost 3/4 a circle. I am not sure how tight that wing nut is I will check that in just a minute. You are a life saver!!

 

[Barnyard]

So......I adjusted the temp. again last night and before I went to bed the temp was at 99.9-100.2.
I got up this moning and the temp is still reading 99.9

It has took long enough to get it down. I just hope it stay's there. I need to go try and find a new wafar today, but I am scared to leave the house because I have been having so much trouble. I think I will wait a while longer and see what that temp. does!!