Eglu Cube, auto door, walk in run for sale South West London

[CatsCube]

I just got my incubator today (very excited). I have bought a Fiem Smart observation incubator and will be setting about 30 pekin eggs.

 

Reading through the instructions Im a bit confused when it comes to humidity. The guide states:

 

Requirement for water in the incubator can be monitored by either weighing the eggs (or

batch of eggs) (an egg should lose 13-15% of its weight during incubation) or by candling

(the air space should be approx. 1/3 of the egg by the time it is due to hatch).

As a starter, we suggest you put 1 -2cms of water in the base at the beginning of

incubation and allow it to run dry. Do not refill it until either:

1.On candling, most of the chicks are shown to be through into the air space OR

2.If not candling, approx. 30-50% of the eggs are pipped (chipped).

At this point the water trough should be filled.

On subsequent hatches you may wish to increase or decrease the amount of water,

depending on your findings with your first hatch, If in doubt, it is better to add too little

water than too much - more eggs are lost through too high humidity than any other

single factor! Remember, the depth of water makes no difference to the humidity levels in

the incubator; it is the surface area which counts!

In many areas of the UK it is often necessary to run the incubator dry.

 

I dont know if anyone else has this make of incubator, but does this mean that I put 1 to 2cm water in the bottom and then don't do anything even if it runs dry until the eggs are pipping, then I fill it up with water.

 

Also Im concerned about what I do when I need to open the incubator as it will upset the temperature inside. When candling do you take them out one at a time and keep opening it and closing it. And when the eggs start to hatch I have seen some people put that some have hatched a couple of days apart, so if there are some that have hatched and fluffed up do I then open it and take them out while other eggs might still be pipping, will this effect them, should I wait till everything has hatched?

[Mollie333]

Do you mean the Chicktec Smart one?

Like this?

 

I have it But it's going back as soon as possible, now ruined 40 eggs.

 

I'd start with 1cm in the base, and run it dry, don't top up the water until half the eggs have pipped.

 

Naturally, a broody hen will get off the eggs, so a few minuets wont harm the eggs.

 

With 20 eggs, i'd take a few out at a time. When the eggs start to hatch (.. days apart sometimes) keep the chicks in there until the others have hatched, chicktec incubators can be used as brooders for a few days.. Not over a week though.

 

It will effect the eggs when you open the incubator past day 19, also you have to turn off the turner a few days before hatch date. Don't open it until all are hatched, it will release the humidity.

[CatsCube]

Its exactly the same as that one, thanks for the advice,

 

But can you tell me why its ruined your eggs? Is yours faulty or is there something wrong with the design/product?

[Mollie333]

Faulty But it says in the little guide book thing that the product has been tested..

 

Good luck with yours.

[CatsCube]

Eeek! did you have any signs that it was faulty, is there anything I should keep an eye on?

 

I got mine on ebay so I dont have the opportunity to return mine. The seller said he had a 75% hatch rate with it.