I have a couple weeks before she lays but I want to make sure this thing is up and running and holding its temp before she does.
i bought a hovabator 1602N. It is used. First I want to make sure there are no missing parts I am not aware of so I have pictured all it came with. Second the instructions are geared towrds chicken eggs. I planned to use vermiculite and egg crate but this thing came with some plastic tray thing and a metal screen.

I am unable to get a thermostat for it so I plan to put a temp strip in it as well as a flukers digital hygrometer/thermometer and cheack on it 2 x a day to make sure temps are steady as well as I have a temp gun.

here is the bottom



this is the top



this is the plastic tray



the metal screen



this is the top it has holes in it, this is ok? not to much heat and humidity will be lost? The bottom has a few around the edges too.



this is the instructions




and this part is where I get confused, cann I not just put wet vermiculite in the bottom?



so how do i set this up? can i use the metal screen instaead of egg crate or should i use the egg crate or both?

how full of vermiculite should i use, or use the tray or both?

to take temps with my temp gun is it safe to open the bator? 2 times. 1 time in a day.
should i take the temp of the actuall eggs?
do you need to rehydrate the vermiculite any time during incubation? if so how much water should be added? I know it should be wet enough that only if you squeeze it should water release, but you wont be able to squeeze it once there ar eggs ontop of it.

any other info i am missing please add.