[nettelein]

Hi there.
The arrival of the ducklings is near, day 27 of incubation, added some water today and could hear the first little cheeps. I set up the box to use as a brooder and started the brinsea eco glow that I purchased, to check it out. I switched it on 3 hours ago and placed a thermometer underneath to check how warm it would get, as the instruction manual doesn't give any information about this
Well, I just checked the temperature and it reads 29 degrees Is that going to be warm enough?
Also........
My incubator has got a plastic mesh underneath the fan in the top, so the gap between floor and top is only approx 2.5-3". is that enough for the ducklings or will I have to move them to the brooder as soon as they are dry or even before . I thought that you can leave the ducklings in the incubator, but I just read that I should not actually leave the eggs in the incubator for hatching as it is a forced air incubator.
I am getting more and more confused here, can someone out there give me some good advice?
We made it sooooo far and I would love everything to go smoothly  

[nettelein]

I am really starting to worry. I thought Brinsea was so highly recommended, hence buying the eco glow, but if you check forums, there seems to be an awful lot of problems with the heat of these. Many people complaining about them not getting hot enough and returning it. Have I made a mistake by buying this?

[chrismahon]

There is a known fault with the model which has since been rectified Nettelein. May need to send it back to Brinsea for repair. Presume you didn't buy it direct from them? There is something obvious that you can see if it is one of the faulty ones. But it does depend on the ambient temperature. Reports I've read about faulty ones say the temperature was a lot lower than you've got. It will be too cold for the first week and you will need to use a heatlamp if you can't increase the temperature. Ring Brinsea tomorrow. At least you will get some support. A phone call to China might have been difficult!

[nettelein]

Well, luckily I have got a heat lamp I can use, but I am pretty miffed after all that. Thinking of taking it back to the shop tomorrow. Might be lucky and they've got something better there. I am so surprised, after all I've read, that these things are still being sold. 

[chrismahon]

Well if it is one of the faulty ones and Brinsea will tell you, the stock should have been withdrawn and replaced.

[nettelein]

I don't think it's one of the faulty ones, according to what I read they had silver heating plates and mine has a black one which is the later version, I'm sure. I'll see what they say in the shop.

[aaronsundin]

I don't think it's one of the faulty ones, according to what I read they had silver heating plates and mine has a black one which is the later version, I'm sure. I'll see what they say in the shop.

You're absolutely right - the silver coloured heating plated ones were  faulty  - not heating up enough . If yours is black matt plated then you're ok . I have two of these and have used them many times without any problems . I've never hatched ducklings though ,  only chicks . I'm told if chicks are too cold they make a lot of noise and let you know about it .   I presume ducklings would do the same . Good luck and don't worry !