New incubators and hatch results

Hi I am from Islamabad Pakistan and wanted to share my incubators and hatch results. In the start of the Year 2017 I ordered some new incubators from China. Will share the pictures below. Each with capacity of 56 eggs. I put the first batch on 1st March. The chicks started to hatch on 20th March in the first incubator. 51 out of 56 hatched successfully. The remaining 5 eggs were in fertile. That makes 90 percent hatch rate. The Chinese did a good job although they were not very expensive.

The left one is in 18th day.



The brooder and all.



This is a local made incubator. Last year hatch results were poor as I have to open it the times a day to turn eggs. Let's see what results i get this time. Due to hatch after a week.



The chicks from first incubator warming up in lights.



People please share your views.

Hi, and congrats on your awesome hatch rate! Pictures of your chicks are always welcome
Have fun with your chicks!

draag80 said:

51 out of 56 hatched successfully. The remaining 5 eggs were in fertile. That makes 90 percent hatch rate.

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No matter how good the incubator is it can not hatch in-fertile eggs so Hatch rate for that incubator should be figured from what is left on day 18 till hatch----in-fertile eggs should have been removed on day 18(for chickens). If you had of removed the in-fertile eggs then---your hatch rate would have been 100%.

PD-Riverman said:

No matter how good the incubator is it can not hatch in-fertile eggs so Hatch rate for that incubator should be figured from what is left on day 18 till hatch----in-fertile eggs should have been removed on day 18(for chickens). If you had of removed the in-fertile eggs then---your hatch rate would have been 100%.

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I agree. I do not count clears-infertile eggs in my hatch rate because you can't hatch a clear. I figure an overal rate based on how many showed development/ how many hatched and lockdown rate (which is the one I consider important) how many locked down/how many hatch.

peopleRanimals2 said:

Hi, and congrats on your awesome hatch rate! Pictures of your chicks are always welcome
Have fun with your chicks!

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Thanks alot. I have two more incubators to go will post more pics in couple of days when they start hatching.

PD-Riverman said:

No matter how good the incubator is it can not hatch in-fertile eggs so Hatch rate for that incubator should be figured from what is left on day 18 till hatch----in-fertile eggs should have been removed on day 18(for chickens). If you had of removed the in-fertile eggs then---your hatch rate would have been 100%.

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Thanks riverman for your reply. You are right I should have taken away the infertile eggs but I did not candle the eggs too much bcoz of the humidity thing you know. Dint want to loose moisture etc. From your theory it means I had more than 90% hatch rate. But it took alot of effort while calibrating the thermometer. I used warm water and one clinical thermometer to calibrate the temprature of incubators. It was a hefty Job but I am happy I did it and did not loose chicks. Afterall they are living creatures and very precious

AmyLynn2374 said:

I agree. I do not count clears-infertile eggs in my hatch rate because you can't hatch a clear. I figure an overal rate based on how many showed development/ how many hatched and lockdown rate (which is the one I consider important) how many locked down/how many hatch.

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I appreciate your interest and reply ammy. It was in the very end when the hatch finished that I candled to see that the eggs were in fertile. You won't believe that after placing the eggs I did not open the incubator even once during the 21 days. I had small pipes running from outside for adding water. I will share the whole setup with you once all eggs hatch. However, The green incubator u see has to be opened three times a day as it doesn't have auto Turner. I am not expecting good results from it.

draag80 said:

I appreciate your interest and reply ammy. It was in the very end when the hatch finished that I candled to see that the eggs were in fertile. You won't believe that after placing the eggs I did not open the incubator even once during the 21 days. I had small pipes running from outside for adding water. I will share the whole setup with you once all eggs hatch. However, The green incubator u see has to be opened three times a day as it doesn't have auto Turner. I am not expecting good results from it.

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If your temps and humid are good you shouldn't expect any lower hatch rates. I'm a hands on hatcher. I don't use a turner. I did in the beginning but got rid of it. I prefer hand turning. My rates actually went up after I switched to hand turning. Not saying it was because I switched methods, but it certainly didn't hurt. I have high hatch rates normally. Even with my shipped eggs, 12 of the 14 that went into lockdown hatched perfect.

Much respect for your ability to be that hands off. I'm addicted to candling, so I can't imagine 3 weeks of not knowing...lol

draag80 said:

Thanks riverman for your reply. You are right I should have taken away the infertile eggs but I did not candle the eggs too much bcoz of the humidity thing you know. Dint want to loose moisture etc. From your theory it means I had more than 90% hatch rate. But it took alot of effort while calibrating the thermometer. I used warm water and one clinical thermometer to calibrate the temprature of incubators. It was a hefty Job but I am happy I did it and did not loose chicks. Afterall they are living creatures and very precious

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You have already gotten some good info, but let me say I am a Hands--Off--Hatcher, for the hatch, BUT I open my incubator every day during the incubation to add water(don't want a automatic waterer) and check on the eggs. In the Styrofoam/small incubators I candle around day 12 and day 18, cabinet usually just day 18. A broody hen gets off her eggs pretty much every day for the first 18 to eat and drink. Then just like my broody hens----out of the last 150+ I have set---they do not get off the eggs the last 2/3 and I do not open my incubator the last 3 for Nothing(add water through a hole if needed)----she gets off the nest when they all hatch(if set at the same time) I open my incubator and remove all at the same time after they all hatch--usually day 22. A 100% hatch is very often.

You did good, but do not be afraid to candle or open the first 18 days----I do not even add water or candle in a hurry the first 18 days---meaning if the incubator stays open for 10 or 15 minutes---no problem. Great Luck To You!!

AmyLynn2374 said:

If your temps and humid are good you shouldn't expect any lower hatch rates. I'm a hands on hatcher. I don't use a turner. I did in the beginning but got rid of it. I prefer hand turning. My rates actually went up after I switched to hand turning. Not saying it was because I switched methods, but it certainly didn't hurt. I have high hatch rates normally. Even with my shipped eggs, 12 of the 14 that went into lockdown hatched perfect.

Much respect for your ability to be that hands off. I'm addicted to candling, so I can't imagine 3 weeks of not knowing...lol

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Hi Amy its nice to know that you are still using conventional method of turning. I thought it was hopeless due to poor hatch rate last year. But I did one blunder last year when I put eggs in the local made incubator, that is, I did not calibrate the thermometer. This year I came to know that the thermometer was 2 degree cecius off. Means if its showing 37 degree, it will be actially 39. Therfore the chicks hatched early and were abnormal. This time I have calibrated properly so lets see what results I get. Will keep sharing with u guys.

I want to know one thing, as I am from diferent part of the world. Why do u order eggs online? Why not use from ur own flock. I get on the average 30 eggs everyday and use those for hatching.

Thanks for the encouragement. In my country people usualltly dont care for animals too much. However, I care for them like my own kids. Somwtimes people laugh at me but I tell them thats the way I am.