- Mar 6, 2014
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It took me awhile to find the time to upload the pics and get everything on here but I have my "hatch along" thread now...
The process began by browsing the web (mostly this site) for info to hatch eggs.... This is going to be our first hatch,our first chicks, hopefully our fist chickens... I didn't want to just go buy someone else's chickens I wanted to experience the full process...succeed or fail at least I have the experience...
I learned about incubating and incubators first...I started gathering parts from my garage,basement, outbuilding etc etc etc... I managed to get 100% of the parts for the incubator completely free... I did however purchase a couple of different thermometers that I plan to use around the house later so no big loss there...
I used a freebie Styrofoam cooler and cut a window hole out and used a glass from a picture frame... I used a light and a water heater thermostat to create the heat, a computer fan, and some reflective 3m tape. I placed a jar and sponge at the bottom and used a hose to go to the top...I wanted to make sure I didn't have to open the incubator no more than necessary.
I ordered a dozen fertilized eggs from the internet and they arrived on Feb 26th... I kept them in my cool but not too cool basement until Saturday March 1st...
I put them in a tupperware egg holder that I chopped up and drilled out. I attached them to a wooden dowel and put a handle outside the bator so I could turn the eggs without opening the bator...
I made a calendar to remind me of the whole process and what should be happening during the incubation period... I made some check boxes to make sure they got turned at least 3 times a day but after awhile I realized it wasn't necessary because we all got involved and turned them usually more than the 3 times but the calendar still helps us stay on track especially here near the end of the process...
I have had success keeping the temps within 4 or 5 degrees + - 100 and the humidity level at 55-70 as research suggested...I installed a couple of different thermometers and humidity gauges to keep up with it all...
So far So good... I am supposed to stop turning the eggs tomorrow and lay them on the tray... I plan on lining the tray in cheesecloth to give them some bedding (if they hatch) ... and increase the humidity to 80+ %
I had a couple of close calls with some ice storms and a blizzard since I started the incubation... Thankfully we didn't lose power but I was prepard for that just in case... as you can see I spent my early years as a boy scout (always prepared)
I know this may be overboard but we are really hoping for success... I did candle a couple during the process and seemed to see what I was supposed to see... Tomorrow when I take them off of the holder I will check them again and remove the ones that I don't see anything in... I will keep everyone posted over the next few days... Wish us luck...
The process began by browsing the web (mostly this site) for info to hatch eggs.... This is going to be our first hatch,our first chicks, hopefully our fist chickens... I didn't want to just go buy someone else's chickens I wanted to experience the full process...succeed or fail at least I have the experience...
I learned about incubating and incubators first...I started gathering parts from my garage,basement, outbuilding etc etc etc... I managed to get 100% of the parts for the incubator completely free... I did however purchase a couple of different thermometers that I plan to use around the house later so no big loss there...
I used a freebie Styrofoam cooler and cut a window hole out and used a glass from a picture frame... I used a light and a water heater thermostat to create the heat, a computer fan, and some reflective 3m tape. I placed a jar and sponge at the bottom and used a hose to go to the top...I wanted to make sure I didn't have to open the incubator no more than necessary.
I ordered a dozen fertilized eggs from the internet and they arrived on Feb 26th... I kept them in my cool but not too cool basement until Saturday March 1st...
I put them in a tupperware egg holder that I chopped up and drilled out. I attached them to a wooden dowel and put a handle outside the bator so I could turn the eggs without opening the bator...
I made a calendar to remind me of the whole process and what should be happening during the incubation period... I made some check boxes to make sure they got turned at least 3 times a day but after awhile I realized it wasn't necessary because we all got involved and turned them usually more than the 3 times but the calendar still helps us stay on track especially here near the end of the process...
I have had success keeping the temps within 4 or 5 degrees + - 100 and the humidity level at 55-70 as research suggested...I installed a couple of different thermometers and humidity gauges to keep up with it all...
So far So good... I am supposed to stop turning the eggs tomorrow and lay them on the tray... I plan on lining the tray in cheesecloth to give them some bedding (if they hatch) ... and increase the humidity to 80+ %
I had a couple of close calls with some ice storms and a blizzard since I started the incubation... Thankfully we didn't lose power but I was prepard for that just in case... as you can see I spent my early years as a boy scout (always prepared)
I know this may be overboard but we are really hoping for success... I did candle a couple during the process and seemed to see what I was supposed to see... Tomorrow when I take them off of the holder I will check them again and remove the ones that I don't see anything in... I will keep everyone posted over the next few days... Wish us luck...
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