so completely fed up..

Sorry about your eggs...I lost my first clutch to a Hovabator...

You could probably get away with running the incubator through a Helix instead of relying on the factory thermostat...

I use Safety Hatch incubators from Big Apple Herp. They are about 500 dollars. I don't use their thermostat though...I use Helix on mine...I also added a dimmer to the fan, it was a little too much plugged straight in the wall...

http://coldbloodedaddiction.com/site...11.jpg-med.jpg

The reason I recommended a prebuilt incubator is that in my opinion, it is a bit late in the game to mess around with building an incubator. I suppose that is an option too though.

I do not think that Ginger is going to lay for a few more weeks. here is our plan. Mark cleans out old apartments, and he can bring home a small old fridge tomorrow. Then we can go to Markheim's (a really cool local pet store in Buffalo) and get the FW.. might have to get a thermo overnited.. but we can do this. In case she does lay tomorrow or something, I have a fan heater that I can use to heat our spare closet to the right temp; it was always good at keeping our bedroom at the right temp no matter how the house was..
but the hova is good now.. part of me jsut wants to get the second one up to the right temp, move these eggs into that one and keep this one going for Ginger's clutch

Aww I'm sorry you had to go through this. :(


Home made ones will take more time to get ready probably but if you have the spare bits lying around its a good store room backup at least.

Mine is only an old fishtank insulated with 1" polystyrene filled with water 1/3 of the way up and with an aquarium heater in the water and a tray above for the eggs container to sit on. It won't be as stable as the purpose built professional 'bators but mine would have cost me the best part of about $80 tops to buy the stuff new.

If anything it was slightly too cool but the humidity is obviously not a problem.

fingers crossed for the other egg.


dr del

Sounds like a good plan Jen. I built a homemade one out of a full size fridge and it holds temps great. Dee just does not like how big it is so we bought a natures spirit one. The one I built holds temps and humidity just as well, if not better. Its now being used to incubate chicken eggs in the garage ... :oops: .


I hope it works out for you, keep us updated.

Neil

Gen two in a row. Sweet heart I am so sorry may be that last one will pull through and be the hottest pastel the world has ever laid eyes one.. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

sucks about the eggs, I really am sorry to hear it... but you live and you learn right? like someone else said, if it was easy everyone would do it.
I'm glad you're gonna try and get something more stable running and I wish you the best of luck

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

I am ready to pull my hair out. I am just so completely disgusted and ready to just sell everything and quit in a way somewhat.

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Please don't! You are an important part of the community and a very caring keeper. I will help in any way you ask. Just let me know. Chris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

Mark cleans out old apartments, and he can bring home a small old fridge tomorrow. Then we can go to Markheim's (a really cool local pet store in Buffalo) and get the FW.. might have to get a thermo overnited.. but we can do this.

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This is a great plan and will make a great incubator for you!! Keep your chin up and don't let this get you down!! You can also do the same thing with an old cooler if the fridge doesn't work out. ;)

You guys are seriously the best people ever. :) I am let down, but I know that it is all because of that temperature spike.. I am still pulling for that remaining egg that still looks OK..
I am going to go substratelesss with this next batch. I have the perfect container that seals and even has a plastic grid that comes with it; I plan on putting a fireplace brick (about an inch high) in, with water, then the grate on top of that. Sound good?
Now Mark just has to get the fridge today; he might have a chest-type old freezer he could get.