What is with the water wiggler??

[Billyj]

I have seen several posts of people making their own incubator. ( i am so going to do this one day, but that is beside the point.) In their list of materials, some say they have a water wiggler. However in the instructions, I never see where it is used. What is it for? Is it something to do to pass the time while they wait or what? I am just curious. thanks.

 

[whytedragon]

It measures the temperature INSIDE of the egg, rather then just relative air temperature. Since it's the temp inside the egg you want to know

You stick the probe of your thermometer inside of it and put it in your incubator level with your eggs.

 

[Billyj]

Well now that's smart. I would imagine you would have to use a probe of some sort correct?? It is true what they say, you learn stuff new everyday.

 

[whytedragon]

Yes, I use a reptile thermometer with a probe, and stick it inside the wiggler. Works great! Found my wiggler at a flea market in a box with goodies for the kids. I think Walmart has them too...it's a kids toy that slips out of your hands when you shake it, pretty fun when not in use for incubating...especially when wet! Buy 2, one for when you're watching your eggs hatch, lol.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I got mine in the toy section at the dollar store. They are usually around the water toys. The probe goes in the middle.

 

[patandchickens]

But you can also make your own. I have my "bionic egg", a plastic easter-egg with a hole drilled in one end to feed the probe through. I put a water balloon in there (just a couple Tbsp of water in a regular balloon, you have to fool around to get the volume right so it fills the egg but still lets you *close* the egg), and nestle the probe into the center with the water-balloon folded around it and tape the egg shut.

The whole point is to have something with reasonably similar thermal inertia to an egg, so your temperature readings reflect the (likely) EGG temperatures not the air.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat