Ways to get temperatures to stabilize?

[Revelle]

I got a 9200 Still-Air Little Giant incubator, and the temps keep jumping around? There was a fan, but that died on the afternoon of the first day, and I'm unsure on how to convert a computer fan to run in it yet. But, other than fans, what's a way to stabilize the temperature a little bit?

I'm afraid that none of the eggs will hatch because it will jump from 99.6 to 104.2 then to 95.3.

On a side question, does anyone know the max temperature the 9200 can get to?

Thank you!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Don't let winds and drafts hit it. Especially watch out for heater vents.

Keep it in an area that stays the same temperatures. The heaters in most incubators canot keep up with a big swing in outside temperatures.

Fill the incubator. The more mass you get in there, the more heat exchange it takes to change the temperature once you the temperature where you want it. It does not have to be more eggs. Rocks, pieces of wood, sealed containers of water, about anything with mass you can safely put in there will work.

 

[Revelle]

Awesome! Thank you, very much! Time to run around finding stuff, and most likely a different spot. :X

 

[BirdBrain]

I bought computer fan that was 3 or 4 inches square with two wires coming out of it. Those fans need a 12 volt adapter so you will have to either find or buy one. I bought obe for 75 cents the other day at a thrift store. I also found one at Radio Shack. Conecting them is simple. Cut of the appliance plug in tip of the adapter cord and strip the wire about a half an inch. The computer fan needs stripped ands also if it doesn't already. Insert a wire from the fan and one from the adapter into a small wire nut and twist. Repeat with the other set. Be sure there is no exposed wire. Plug in the adapter and remove quickly. If the fan runs, you have the wires right. If not try the other combination and give it a go again. Once it is just right use electrical tape to stabilize the connections. Place the fan in your bator such that it is facing toward the lid with an air gap between it and the lid. Make a tiny divet in the top edge of your incubator for the cord to run through so that the lid fits firmly down on the bottom section.

 

[TheNewMrsEvans]

Even if you don't get the fan just add big sealed jars of warm water. They act like a heat sink because water holds heat better than air.

 

[Paganbird]

Quote:
Oh No!
I'm really sorry to hear that!

I always used a still-air 'bator for hatching chicken eggs, if that makes you feel any better.

I hope the eggs do well. I just hatched out one of the cutest little silkie chicks yesterday. It hatched from a wax-patched egg. I have another patch-job due to hatch tomorrow. I love the silkies so much, if I can't ship an egg out due to a crack... I wax it & set it myself.
Since you only have a few eggs in there, 20oz plastic bottles work well as heat-sinks. That ought to help stabilize the temps. Don't expect the LG to stay the same temp for long... there will be slight variations. I never touched the dial unless it went below 97 or above 103 and stayed there for more than an hour. Some fluctuations are to be expected. I syill had pretty good hatched - even with shipped eggs.
Good luck & keep me updated.

ETA: If you use the 20oz bottles for heat-sinks, fill them with hot/warm water before putting them in the 'bator so they don't make your temp drop.

 

[Revelle]

Quote:
Oh No!
I'm really sorry to hear that!

I always used a still-air 'bator for hatching chicken eggs, if that makes you feel any better.

I hope the eggs do well. I just hatched out one of the cutest little silkie chicks yesterday. It hatched from a wax-patched egg. I have another patch-job due to hatch tomorrow. I love the silkies so much, if I can't ship an egg out due to a crack... I wax it & set it myself.
Since you only have a few eggs in there, 20oz plastic bottles work well as heat-sinks. That ought to help stabilize the temps. Don't expect the LG to stay the same temp for long... there will be slight variations. I never touched the dial unless it went below 97 or above 103 and stayed there for more than an hour. Some fluctuations are to be expected. I syill had pretty good hatched - even with shipped eggs.
Good luck & keep me updated.

ETA: If you use the 20oz bottles for heat-sinks, fill them with hot/warm water before putting them in the 'bator so they don't make your temp drop.

It's alright! My lovely boyfriend is going to show me how to convert a spare computer fan into a non-computer fan!

I hope they go well, too! Thank you for the temperature tip, I got the 'Ohnononono it was fine a minute ago!' thought when it changed a couple degrees.

Right now I have an olive jar and 2 wash clothes as something, but I'll try to find a plastic bottle, thank you! I .. honestly didn't think of plastic bottles as a water hold.

The next 3 weeks are going to be filled with much seat hopping! The silkie eggs are so cute, and the wyandotte ones are so cool looking...

 

[Paganbird]

I'll have to take some pics of the chicks that I just hatched. I'm charging batteries for my camera, so it won't be until sometimes tomorrow.
My SLW apparantly has a thing going on with my barred rock rooster. The chick has SLW markings... and a big white spot on it's head! I'm not sure what it'll look like as an adult, but it ought to be interesting!
I have a white silkie that looks like it'll be beautiful. I also have a chick that I'm expecting to be a sizzle... it has pink tips on it's toes. My sizzle has pink tips on her toes, too. All 10 of them.

 

[Elite Silkies]

My husband was told by an Oldtimer that if you put store bought eggs in with the hatching eggs that the temp and humidity holds better. But, I have no idea if it works or not, and some of those old stories are just that........ stories.

Hope you have a great hatch.

 

[Revelle]

That sounds cool for the chicks! I wonder if the ones you sent will be like them? I'll keep on the lookout for when you get pictures.

Cammy - I think that's similar to the water bottles/jars thing! Heat sinks to help absorb/keep temperature same.

Thank you!