How to Incubate and Hatch Eggs!

Is this a good way to help people learn about incubating?

  • Yes

    Votes: 5 83.3%
  • No

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Maybe

    Votes: 1 16.7%
  • You could just use learning center

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    6

BYCforlife

Crossing the Road
6 Years
Mar 18, 2017
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Canada
I was hoping to make a thread where people can go to for information on incubators. I know you could just go to learning center, but lots of people like being told on the thread part of BYC. Please share how you personally incubate eggs, and perhaps share some mistakes too.;)




My knowledge:

If your eggs have been shipped, place them, pointy end down, in an egg carton for 24 hours, to let the yolk and air bubble settle.

About 24 hours before putting the eggs in the incubator, get it up to temperature and humidity. You will want it to be about 99.5 degrees F. And 45-50% humidity.
Keep in mind that you want to make sure you do not have TOO MUCH humidity on days 1-18, and you do not want to have TOO LITTLE on days 19-23.

Place the eggs in the incubator. The eggs should have the large end a little higher than the small end.
If you are using a turner, place the eggs in the turner pointy end down.
If you are turning the eggs by hand, you should turn them at least 3 times a day. You should stagger the turning, so your eggs don't sit in the same side two nights in a row. To help remember this, draw an "X" on one side of the egg, and an "O" on the other side of the egg.
E.g.: Night 1: side X.
Night 2: side O. And so on.

You can candle your eggs to monitor the growth of the embryo, but this is not necessary. You should be able to see blood veins by day 7.
Normal candling days are days 7, 14, and 18.
Lock Down:

Lock down is on day 18. You will want to:
#1: take out the egg turner.
#2: decrease the temperature by ONE degree. (98.5 degrees F.)
#3: increase humidity to 65-70%.

You do not need to turn the eggs at this stage if you are turning the eggs by hand. At this stage the chicks will most likely start to hatch. Hatches will be staggered, some by a few days.

When the chick makes a hole in the egg, it is called "pipping". After the chick has "pipped", it may take a break for up to 24 hours. Do not try to help the chick out unless absolutely necessary. Some people say it kills the chicks to help them out, but if they are stuck, they will die anyway.

The chicks can survive for up to 72 hours on the egg they absorb before hatching. When the chick hatches, give it time to dry off before moving it to your brooder.
 
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I love incubating my own eggs. It's fun and very rewarding! Lots of trial and error but I have a 90% hatch rate now the best luck w/ dry hatches especially with a styrofoam incubator with a fan I use sponges for moisture but let them dry out completely each day before adding any more moisture and then at lockdown I fill the entire bottom of the incubator w/water for the last 4 days before hatch. So far its worked really well for me.
 
I have turkey eggs. Took the eggs turner out and laid eggs on their side. Does it matter how the eggs is positioned (which side the chick is laying vs which side the shell is up?) The egg is its side....????
 
I have turkey eggs. Took the eggs turner out and laid eggs on their side. Does it matter how the eggs is positioned (which side the chick is laying vs which side the shell is up?) The egg is its side....????


It should not matter which way the egg sits on its side, as the eggs can also hatch in the turner. Taking the turner out is just safer for the chicks. You're doing fine! :thumbsup
 
Quote:
There are two things I wish to clarify here. First off, for many (not all,) 45-50% humidity is too high. I have to run 25-30% or my air cells are too small. Candle or weigh your eggs to determine what humidity percentage is appropriate for your location, type of eggs, and incubator. Cabinets generally need a higher humidity percentage.

Also, remember not to turn the eggs in the same direction every time. Switch back and forth. If you're always turning in one direction it will likely place too much stress on the chalazae and snap them, letting the yolk/embryo free float in the egg.
 
You don't want the humidity to be that high for the first 18 days, ideally you want it around 30%. Dry incubation is great!
Calling it "dry incubation" is an unfortunate label that is not correct. There is always some humidity in the incubator. Some places you will not need to add any water, but for many areas you will have to add some water.

Dry incubation is quicker to type than low-humidity-incubation-that-everyone-has-to-adjust-for-themselves, but I just wished to clarify for anyone reading.
 
I have turkey eggs. Took the eggs turner out and laid eggs on their side. Does it matter how the eggs is positioned (which side the chick is laying vs which side the shell is up?) The egg is its side....????
Are you in lockdown? If so, the lowest dip in the air cell should be up.
 
Calling it "dry incubation" is an unfortunate label that is not correct. There is always some humidity in the incubator. Some places you will not need to add any water, but for many areas you will have to add some water.

Dry incubation is quicker to type than low-humidity-incubation-that-everyone-has-to-adjust-for-themselves, but I just wished to clarify for anyone reading.


Yeah, that's true. Thanks for clarifying for everybody!
 

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