Testing the Incubator

I mentioned on previous posts that I had bought an incubator. Initially, I thought I had done my money as it didn't show up and the seller wasn't responding to my emails but then I got a response (they were away) and that they didn't send the package when they said they would so that was the reason for the delay.

So I got it a couple of weeks ago, however when I opened the package there were no instructions on how to use it. I specifically asked about instructions when I was considering buying it because I have no experience in incubating eggs. With the promise of "instructions and extra information" I went ahead. Sadly, the person did not respond to any of my emails asking for the instructions, so I rang the distributor and they faxed through some operating instructions YAY!!

I am getting some fertile eggs on Sunday so today I am getting the incubator ready for use. Hmmm, it was full of dust and dead blowflies yuk - there is a cage bit at the top where the fan and electricals are. I got about 9 blowflies out of here (they were stuck in the cage part) and there were about 5 in the bottom of the incubator yuk yuk yuk. It is very dusty so I have given it a good clean and now I have to set the temperature.

No matter what I tried, I couldn't get the temp to work. It mainly ran too hot - was up to 44 deg and would not reduce - this would absolutely cook the eggs and kill them. Greg came home and cleaned it out fully but it didn't do anything to change the temperature problems. He took it into work and one of the electrical engineers took a look & they did some testing.

It's faulty - I thought it was the thermometer but it is the circuitrey of the unit. To things are faulty and not allowing the heating of the unit to work correctly. The guy that looked at it indicated that it was probably like that from when it was bought (a manufacturing/production problem). Hmmmmmmm well the person who sold it to me said on their ad that they had an 85% hatch rate using it. Either they were not telling the truth or it broke after they used it???

I will never know, but with $20 worth of parts, he will fix it (hopefully) on Tuesday or Wednesday and I will be able to set my eggs after that!!! I will keep everyone updated on the progress of this...........

Today was Jemma's school fete. We won a prize on the chocolate wheel - a term of swimming lessons - which is a great prize (a few people were after it, how lucky am I). It was a great fete, I took along some Baby Carrot Cakes (11 - had to test one to make sure they wern't gross hehe) and am happy to say they all got sold quickly!!! They were nice too.

Here is a pic of Jem on a jumping thing (sorry not sure what it is called). She had a ball, went on lots of rides, we ate lots of sausage sangas, drink and she did craft etc. I bid on a quilt but don't think I will win it as a lady told me it was hers!!!! oh well, maybe next time hehe

Update on Lacey the chook. Yesterday, I was pretty sure she wasn't going to make it. We started antibiotics on Thursday night (from the vet - I sent an email and she said it is either fungal or bacterial - so we commenced with bacterial antibiotic). Last night (Friday night) Greg and I gave her her antibiotics (dose is am and pm) and she didn't seem good at all & had lost 50g in weight too. I had checked her all day and she wasn't good - very depressed looking, not moving around much etc.

BUT today - WOW - she is walking really well, very lively and I haven't heard her crowing. We quickly gave her the antibiotics this morning and went to the fete (I was amazed she was still alive really). She seems a LOT better this afternoon - fingers crossed she gets better.

Donut the dog has a sore leg though..........WILL IT NEVER END???? It's not bad but she is limping a little bit. We are not too worried at the moment - hopefully it will resolve itself. She probably did it playing with Poppy....................

What next???? :-)