INCUBATOR PROBLEMS

oakenpine · **Posted:** Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:50 am

Is anyone else having trouble with their new/near new (I won't mention brand, only model) E2 incubator? Mine won't keep the correct temperature and chickens are coming out at 22-24 days if they come out at all. Know of another who is having the same trouble.

moonshadow_dancer · **Posted:** Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:57 pm

Hmmm I guess noone has an E2 to make a comment.

Sorry I only have hovabators.

Penola Poultry · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:18 pm

Hey I have an E2 as well and this year i am having quite a few chicks that either pip, or work their way around most of the shell but just don't get out. It's quite revolting with half hatched chicks hanging on for days unable to get out. From the first day I got the incubator I had trouble getting the humidity high enough and had to resort to putting an extra container of water in the top, however last week i discovered that one of the door seals wasn't sealing properly. When i fixed it the humidity increased to such an extent that I had to remove the extra water container. I thought this might solve the problem with the pipping chicks dying, however it appears that today out of about 70 chicks there are 7 or ten that have died in the shell.

What is your problem?

oakenpine · **Posted:** Thu Oct 16, 2008 5:01 pm

Our problem is getting the incubator to keep a regular temperature. The digital bit is set to 38.5 (instead of 37.6) but still usually doesn't reach 99.9. However if it is set any higher, it the temp goes up during the day, it goes over 100. We have had this problem almost since getting the thing 12 months ago.
Despite being reassured that the company will do the right thing by us, we still have had no satisfaction. They did send replacement bulbs, digital regulator (and we have had to pay an electrician to come and put it in) and angle thermometer but to no avail. Nothing helps. Chicks are only coming out at 22-24 days if at all.

Penola Poultry · **Posted:** Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:36 pm

actually when i first got mine i set it up in a shed and i remember that i had to set the temp much higher than it said, then in the daytime whenthe shed got hot the temp wen't really high. I then moved the incubator into the living room where the temperature is quite cool and stable and haven't had any problems with temp. However, having said that, my issue with the chicks not hatching could be a temperature thing??????

oakenpine · **Posted:** Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:04 am

I don't really know why your chicks are having trouble? Some people question feeding sorghum but don't know why that is a problem. Temperature could be a problem, I know it is ours. I threw out about 3 dozen eggs this week. It really hurts when you can hear a chicken cheeping inside the shell but hasn't pipped. I have tried to get these out on day 24 - some survive, some bleed out in my hand!! As if there aren't enough things to worry about without that sort of thing. I just can't throw the eggs out when they are like that, but I know they won't come out on their own at that stage. As for getting humidity high enough, in his book Les Dowdle (king of Plymouth Rocks) suggested wetting a towel (wring it out of course) and placing it over the hole at the top of the incubator and putting the lid back over it. This works really well. Sorry I haven't any suggestions for your problem though.

Penola Poultry · **Posted:** Fri Oct 17, 2008 11:15 am

It is a horrible experience. What do you do with a cheeping egg to put the chick out of its misery? I think by the sounds of your temperature issues you should hassle the company to replace your incubator.

danny boy · **Posted:** Fri Oct 17, 2008 11:58 am

Interesting.
I have just purchased an E1, have had it a few weeks now & cn report I am having no troubles at all.
A friend also has an E2, she is a member here so hopefully she maybe able to help.
I havent heard her having any problems tho.

bunyanuternie · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:31 pm **Posts:** 2903

How are you going with E2 , I am not familiar with the new E2 , and I am assuming it is made by the same company that used to make them back in the good ole days when things worked . But the Old E2s were a very successful and reliable bator , I am a converted Bellsouth man myself though , Whats the chances of getting some more info on what youve got , eg, how many eggs , still or fan , auto or manual .

Definately check the door seals though .

PS . hows them lovely Rocks of yours going .

PPS . I have an old E2 collecting dust , that hatched over 10 000 eggs in it's time . so Don't give up , they do work . A lot of the Old breeders over here used them . and I know of people that still use them . That is if were talking about the same . E2 .

danny boy · **Posted:** Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:39 am

The only eggs I have had a drama with now in the e1 is my duccle eggs.
Only 2 didnt hatch.
It gets so confusing as to why this happens, some say diet.
Others say poor quality breeding stock.
Too much humidity.
Not enough humidity.
Incorrect temp.
I have a digital temp on my e1 that sits on 36.9 I think it is, (will have to double check).... and was told not to go by the angle thermometre.. but my angle thermom is holding the correct temp also.

Do you have a wet bulb in yours?

So far in the e1 I have hatched (all together) geese eggs, guinea eggs, various chicken eggs etc.

I would go with Ian, check door seals, but if it is a new unit they should be fine.
I found good sealer, foam stuff from bunnings, a lot cheaper than buying at other places.

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