Texas

there are so many variables that a cookie cutter "you should have this percentage of humidity" nonsense just won't work for everyone.. so it's best to pay attention to your hatches and adjust things until you have it down to a science
YEP!

I think it is frustrating too because people feel like failures if a chick dies. So they are looking for fast answers rather than "get to know your equipment and conditions". We live in the instant microwave world now where answers are supposed to be at our fingertips as fast as we can type in the question.
 
Not even just from your home to your neighbour's.....Not even room to room. Just by having your own climate control going can mess things up.

I got one of these incubators that are popular with people....I do not like it. I am nagging Mike to make me two more so I can sell the two I had to buy because of going on an egg spree. The temperature is flaky in the purchased incubator, fluctuating by at least a degree depending on if the AC is blowing or not. No, it is not in the direct line of the vent. I know that one degree fluctuation either way isn't a "big deal"...but, it's the fact that it even happens that's annoying me. I've not even bothered to keep the hygrometer in there because - let's face it - my humidity is in flux as well. Well, and I have no water in it, so.... So, screw it. I'll weigh them, keep an eye on them, do my best to keep the temp as steady as possible - and, otherwise just keep nagging Mike to make me a new incubator where I can keep my temperature within .2 degrees of my target without fail and can keep my humidity right where I want it, when I want it with a small twist of a knob.....Generally, it's "off"; but, when I need to bump it, I can. I have screwed up my hatches, me - not my incubator. And, I'm finding I'm more and more prone to preferring my ability to micromanage if I want to. Sad to admit, isn't it?
hide.gif


I do have to admit to liking the automatic egg turner, though....trying to get him to build around those dimensions so I can keep it.
gig.gif
 
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Not even just from your home to your neighbour's.....Not even room to room. Just by having your own climate control going can mess things up.

I got one of these incubators that are popular with people....I do not like it. I am nagging Mike to make me two more so I can sell the two I had to buy because of going on an egg spree. The temperature is flaky in the purchased incubator, fluctuating by at least a degree depending on if the AC is blowing or not. No, it is not in the direct line of the vent. I know that one degree fluctuation either way isn't a "big deal"...but, it's the fact that it even happens that's annoying me. I've not even bothered to keep the hygrometer in there because - let's face it - my humidity is in flux as well. Well, and I have no water in it, so.... So, screw it. I'll weigh them, keep an eye on them, do my best to keep the temp as steady as possible - and, otherwise just keep nagging Mike to make me a new incubator where I can keep my temperature within .2 degrees of my target without fail and can keep my humidity right where I want it, when I want it with a small twist of a knob.....Generally, it's "off"; but, when I need to bump it, I can. I have screwed up my hatches, me - not my incubator. And, I'm finding I'm more and more prone to preferring my ability to micromanage if I want to. Sad to admit, isn't it?
hide.gif


I do have to admit to liking the automatic egg turner, though....trying to get him to build around those dimensions so I can keep it.
gig.gif

So far my cardboard box one is working pretty well. With nothing in it I seem to have anywhere from a 30 to 35 % humidity. Well I have eggs in it but nothing to provide moisture. The last batch I tried when my thermometer broke I cracked them open to see what I had going. I had four out of six developing and two that were either infertile or just didn't develop. Not too bad for a cardboard box, a trashbag, tinfoil and a piece of cheap picture frame plastic. Oh and a lamp. If this works out then I will refine it a little more and keep using it. I'm using mutt eggs from my bantam bird and my one barred rock pullet. The father of those would be either an Iowa Blue or my big black bird, Which is either an Australorp or a giant. I hope some hatch because I am curious to see what I get.

ETA I only have three eggs in there right now. I am monitoring air bubbles. I set them three days ago.
 
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Not even just from your home to your neighbour's.....Not even room to room. Just by having your own climate control going can mess things up.

I got one of these incubators that are popular with people....I do not like it. I am nagging Mike to make me two more so I can sell the two I had to buy because of going on an egg spree. The temperature is flaky in the purchased incubator, fluctuating by at least a degree depending on if the AC is blowing or not. No, it is not in the direct line of the vent. I know that one degree fluctuation either way isn't a "big deal"...but, it's the fact that it even happens that's annoying me. I've not even bothered to keep the hygrometer in there because - let's face it - my humidity is in flux as well. Well, and I have no water in it, so.... So, screw it. I'll weigh them, keep an eye on them, do my best to keep the temp as steady as possible - and, otherwise just keep nagging Mike to make me a new incubator where I can keep my temperature within .2 degrees of my target without fail and can keep my humidity right where I want it, when I want it with a small twist of a knob.....Generally, it's "off"; but, when I need to bump it, I can. I have screwed up my hatches, me - not my incubator. And, I'm finding I'm more and more prone to preferring my ability to micromanage if I want to. Sad to admit, isn't it?
hide.gif


I do have to admit to liking the automatic egg turner, though....trying to get him to build around those dimensions so I can keep it.
gig.gif

try wrapping a thick towel around it for temp fluctuations.. it's what I have to do with styro bators at night.. during the day if it's super hot here I end up having to open them a crack or have a fan blowing directly on them...
which is why I prefer to only use them during the cooler months!

I'm looking forward to the coolerbator build (hopefully this weekend if the darn thermostat gets here on time)!
 
try wrapping a thick towel around it for temp fluctuations.. it's what I have to do with styro bators at night.. during the day if it's super hot here I end up having to open them a crack or have a fan blowing directly on them...
which is why I prefer to only use them during the cooler months!

I'm looking forward to the coolerbator build (hopefully this weekend if the darn thermostat gets here on time)!
Good idea. I'll give it a shot.
 

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