reptilenut
Greg Stephens
- Messages
- 113
- Location
- Huntington, WV
Ok this is my first year breeding, and I did not build my incubator. So I decided to purchase a Little Giant Still Air Incubator Model 9200. I wanted to share my experience with this relative low cost incubator.
Here is why I chose the Little Giant.
This model is available at Tractor Supply, and cost me around $42.00 with tax. So it was pretty easy to find locally. It comes with an electronically controlled thermostat. Not the wafer type that is included with the Hova-bator incubators.
I set the incubator up about a week before my laying started to regulate the temperature, and ensure humidity levels were correct. I have to say it was definitely a pain to get it calibrated to 81 F, but after a few hours I was happy with the results.
Here is where it gets to be a pain, keeping the humidity up is easy, but keeping the temperature constant is not as easy. BTW I use a digital thermometer, with probe and hygrometer build in. The incubators temp fluctuates 2-3 degrees dependent upon the temperature of the room, the warmer the room the incubator temperatures increases a couple of degrees, and the reverse when the room is cooler. To help reduce such drastic temperature fluctuations, I placed a heavy towel over the incubator to reduce the amount of outside air that seeps in around the lid.
I just wanted to share this information with anyone thinking of getting the Little Giant Still Air Incubator.
My plans for the future, I am thinking of taking the heating coil, and thermostat out and placing it in thicker styro-foam cooler. (after the breeding season of course) I see it being an easy mod, and will surely increase the reliability and efficiency of the incubator.
Hope this helps someone out.
Here is why I chose the Little Giant.
- Cost
- Availability
- Electronic Thermostat
This model is available at Tractor Supply, and cost me around $42.00 with tax. So it was pretty easy to find locally. It comes with an electronically controlled thermostat. Not the wafer type that is included with the Hova-bator incubators.
I set the incubator up about a week before my laying started to regulate the temperature, and ensure humidity levels were correct. I have to say it was definitely a pain to get it calibrated to 81 F, but after a few hours I was happy with the results.
Here is where it gets to be a pain, keeping the humidity up is easy, but keeping the temperature constant is not as easy. BTW I use a digital thermometer, with probe and hygrometer build in. The incubators temp fluctuates 2-3 degrees dependent upon the temperature of the room, the warmer the room the incubator temperatures increases a couple of degrees, and the reverse when the room is cooler. To help reduce such drastic temperature fluctuations, I placed a heavy towel over the incubator to reduce the amount of outside air that seeps in around the lid.
I just wanted to share this information with anyone thinking of getting the Little Giant Still Air Incubator.
My plans for the future, I am thinking of taking the heating coil, and thermostat out and placing it in thicker styro-foam cooler. (after the breeding season of course) I see it being an easy mod, and will surely increase the reliability and efficiency of the incubator.
Hope this helps someone out.
