New incubators and hatch results

[draag80]

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.

 

[draag80]

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!!

Thanks for the valuable advice. Its so nice to hear from people who have love and a soft corner for animals specially poultry.

I think you are right regarding candling of eggs. We should not let infertile eggs to sit in the incubator for too long due to the risk of explosion. If an egg explodes it can ruin the whole incubator. I was lucky that did not happen. However, I have once experienced a rotten egg exploding and it was awful. I could not eat anything for the next 2 days due to nausea lol. I will definately candle the eggs next time.

You are right about the broody hen. She will also leave the nest for 10 15 minutes which do not affect the eggs. But not in the last three days off course

 

[draag80]

The eggs in incubator # 2 have started to open on day 19. Or pip as u call it ??
Let's see how many hatch out of 56.

 

[draag80]

This is the pic of the incubator I prepared with local materials. You will be able to note that I dont let the thermometer go beyond 36 degree this time. Its a little higher in the picture as the incubator is trying to compensate to the heat loss during egg turning

 

[draag80]

...

RE Alibaba, check this out

. 440 egg capacity for under $300, wish i needed one that big...LOL https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...y_947513459.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.nQVZJT
@draag80 - very nice to hear about your setup and results!

Check out the supply capacity. 10,000 units per day. My God. Well it's not only price you have to take into account the freight charges also. My bators cost was US $ 43 and freight was US $ 92 costing me around US $ 135 each. But delivery was very fast. I expected 40 days but were delivered in 15 days.

 

[draag80]

Posing for Camera. Relaxed after having tummy full lol.

 

[peopleRanimals2]

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

 

[PD-Riverman]

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

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%.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

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%.

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.

 

[draag80]

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

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