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Post by Tracy on Jan 6, 2004 18:13:29 GMT -5
I'm getting some eggs off Lydia probably tomorrow. I have a Hova bator that I just added a fan to a couple nights ago. Everyone seems to have different preferances on temp & humidity levels. Last night I was advised that someone gets better hatches & more pullets by setting their fan forced bators at 101 instead of the recommended 99.5. I've tried everything by the book & have done terribly in the past. Do you think it's worth a shot to try this since nothing else seems to be working? TIA
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Post by ccbmom on Jan 6, 2004 18:36:05 GMT -5
Tracey, when I used my Little Giant, I would try and keep it at 100 degrees. This meant that the temperature would fluctuate between 98-102. I did find that the temperature didn't fluctuate as much when I didn't have to open it. When I would open the bator to turn the eggs, the bator would cool off and then spike up to around 102. It would get really bad when I would try to adjust it. Some people say to unplug the bator when turning eggs to keep it from spiking. I would try the 2X4 if you don't have a turner to keep from opening it as much. Also, you need a good thermometer. I lost two hatches once because I was using the thermometer that came with the bator. I later found out that it was way off. I later got a accurite thermometer/hygrometer and it works great. I also put several other thermometers all around the bator just to find the best and most stable spot for the eggs and to make sure the thermometers are accurate. One other thing, make sure that it is in a room with a stable temperature.
Sorry this is so long. I hope that you have a good hatch.
ccbmom
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Post by Lydia on Jan 6, 2004 19:42:58 GMT -5
Amen, CCBMOM, I was just going to post that I lost my hatch because the themometer I used was one that I orderd from GOF (Incubator thermometer) and I am mad!
My husband came home today and a friend of his that works in the heating and Air condition buisness, gave him a thermometer that they use.
I put it in my incubator that was reading 100 and the new thermometer read 105.
Well, I now have it regulated and it goes between 99.5
and 101.4
So now I have to start over again.
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Post by Tracy on Jan 6, 2004 22:03:20 GMT -5
Lydia, I'm sorry you lost your batch of eggs. I sure know how that feels unfortunatly:(
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Post by Lydia on Jan 6, 2004 22:15:28 GMT -5
It happens to the best of us.
I do hope your first successful hatch is with my eggs, that would bring me great joy.
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Post by spoyld029 on Jan 6, 2004 22:22:00 GMT -5
Geez, now you did it....I am nervous. I was all happy with this bator I got and now I am nervous about the thermometer. I plugged it in today and it stayed at 100 all day, good??? Where can I buy another thermometer to double check temps?
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Post by ccbmom on Jan 6, 2004 22:22:30 GMT -5
Oh, I am so sorry  . I would give the hova bator another try with the new thermometer. Sounds like it is working pretty good now. |
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Post by Lydia on Jan 6, 2004 22:25:10 GMT -5
Here is the thing, the digital ones are much better than the mercury ones.
The mercury thermometers take too long to read after you open the incubator and they tend to give false readings.
The one my husband got me is digital and has a probe on it.
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Post by spoyld029 on Jan 6, 2004 22:27:32 GMT -5
Where can I get another one?  Would Lowes or Home Depot sell these??? Are there special ones you need ? |
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Post by Lydia on Jan 6, 2004 22:28:36 GMT -5
Oh, by the way Tracey, I know someone is trying to bust your bubble about using shipped eggs but don't let them get you upset.
Ash ccbmom, Lorie or any of the others that got my eggs how they did.
Some people can just be so negative.
I do my best to make sure they stay warm and are packed so they don't jiggle around much.
Let me know when you get them if they feel cold.
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Post by Lydia on Jan 6, 2004 22:30:22 GMT -5
Yes, Lowes or homedepot should have the termometers
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Post by ccbmom on Jan 6, 2004 22:30:52 GMT -5
Sounds like the one I got. I got mine off of eggbid, but the seller was terrible (took me forever and about 10 emails to get it). It is an accurite and works great. You just have to change the batteries before each hatch. I have seen them (at radio shack maybe??) for cheaper than what I paid before shipping! Oh, mine also measures the humidity, which is a real plus.
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Post by spoyld029 on Jan 6, 2004 22:34:56 GMT -5
Now I am nervous. I was all happy today that this Little Giant bator stayed right at 100 alllllllllllllllllllllllll day....  So, do they require special thermometers? I mean like when I go to Lowes or Home Depot and ask for help do I need to specify what kind I need or are they all the same? |
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Post by ccbmom on Jan 6, 2004 22:37:55 GMT -5
Just ask for a digital thermometer/hygrometer. And, one with a probe (the probe is used to stick outside a window to tell the temp. inside and outside). They will know what you are talking about. Don't rely on the thermometers that come with the LG.
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Post by ccbmom on Jan 6, 2004 22:43:44 GMT -5
Tracey, Lydia's right! Don't let anyone talk you out of getting shipped eggs! I normally get a 50% hatch on shipped eggs no matter what month of the year it is. If they are cold, just let them sit and warm up to room temperature before placing in the incubator. If I had listened to everyone telling me not to get shipped eggs this part of the year, I wouldn't have those precious babies in the pictures on this website!
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. I would give the hova bator another try with the new thermometer. Sounds like it is working pretty good now.
Would Lowes or Home Depot sell these??? Are there special ones you need ?
So, do they require special thermometers? I mean like when I go to Lowes or Home Depot and ask for help do I need to specify what kind I need or are they all the same?