I've just read the prior posts. Curious. I got mine in the mail Tuesday and has been running ever since. Empty and no water for the first couple days, I was told. Then once everything is stablized you add the water to the bottom with a straw and a funnel. Now my temp was 99.1 for the first day and then has been 100.0 ever since. I added the water and it's stayed the same but the humidity went to 60%. It's been stable since. Now I am just waiting to get the rest of my eggs. Some came in the mail today and the others I am picking up tomorrow. I will be setting Saturday. Hopefully all goes well.
These are the instructions I got from a friend of mine who has been hatching for MANY years and hatches A LOT. He will tell you in the instructions how many he does. I hope it helps anyone who reads this.
Although these instructions are written for Little Giant and Hovabator, they can also be applied to just about any incubator..
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These instructions assume you have a turner .. If you do not have a turner , You can turn the eggs without opening the incubator by propping the bator up on a brick or piece of 2x4 and alternating the prop from side to side at the required intervals..
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If you follow these instructions, you must forsake all other advice.. That is all I ask.
In the meantime you have to get a good thermometer (one only,, we do not use two and average the temps..)
You will also need a good hygrometer..
I have three digital ones .. they are all good and cost about $8.oo each.. one I bought at
Wal-Mart..
There is a procedure for testing the accuracy of a hygrometer..
First step: is to remove everything from your incubator.. you may leave your turner in if you have one.. If you leave it in, have it running for the duration of the set up procedure..
Put your thermometer and hygrometer into the bator where you will be able to see them through the window...
Now remove the plugs from the top of the incubator..Hovabator and Little Giants have 2 of them.. save the plugs, but you will not need them again until day 18 of hatching chickens.. (last 3 days of other eggs)
Now with four pieces of duct tape about 16 inches long,, tape the top section of the bator to the bottom section of the bator running the duct tape along the seam..
This next step might take a day or two...
Turn on the bator and bring the temp up to 102 degrees.. DO NOT add any water at this time.. We are trying to dry the bator out as much as we can..
This first step is to bring your humidity down as far as possible.. Most of you should bottom out at 25% humidity...
These instructions are specifically for Hovabators and Little Giants.. the theory works for all incubators.. I have 3 two hundred egg sportsman's that I set up the same way.. (less the duct tape)..
Prior to the Sportsman's,
I was running 8 Hova and LG at a time..
Phase 2 of instructions:
Now that the incubator is completely dry and the temp is stable at 102F,,,,
Add 1 ounce of water by pouring it through one of the vent holes on top of the bator.
Almost immediately the temp should begin to go down and the humidity % should begin to rise.. make note of your readings.
From this point on you will NEVER adjust the temp dial to increase the temp...
The 102F is your fail safe setting.. If your bator should ever go dry, the temp should not "spike" over 102F , like you have all undoubtedly read of or heard of in the past..
You may adjust the temp down if you need to.. But if you raise the temperature, then you are going to possibly nullify your failsafe setting..
If you have 40% humidity or higher, it is ok.. You should try to get it it to 60% to 70% at pipping and hatching time to prevent sticky chicks..
To raise the humidity at this time :
Now is when you may put one or two of the plugs into the holes.. or put a piece of tape over the holes if you have lost the plugs..
Just remember, you can adjust the temp down, but never up.. so, take the temp down very gradually..
For those of you who have no fan in the bator, you can add 1 to 1 1/2 degree F to the temps.. I do not recommend going above 102F, however..
Now you have everything stabilized, remove the tape and put your eggs in..
replace the tape..
Add water through the vent holes with a piece of tubing taped to a funnel..
You should not have to open your bator until it is time to take chicks out..
add water and watch for a day or two.. Your temp might drop below 99F.. This is the time to NOT RAISE the temp.. just wait, the eggs will gradually warm up and things will be fine..
Remember:
A good hatch depends much on good eggs.
I do not guarantee 100% hatch, but I will lay odds your % will increase
