1st time hatching eggs....have a temp ??

[Mom-ma B]

You don't want it directly on the floor because of poor air quality closer to the ground (or so I've read). You could bundle it up on a piece of low or mid height furniture or something. You'll have to work out the details based on what you're comfortable with and what equipment is available.

I have it on a plastic tote to allow the air flow under it. So it's roughly 2 feet off there floor. I can turn up the heat on the incubator, but I worry it would get too hot.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

Don't turn the heat up anymore. Just start working things from the bundling angle. Or don't and just see how your development is when you candle. Your call. There's no perfect answer here. Just slowly figuring out what works and what doesn't with this incubator in your house and climate. All the while hoping you don't over or undercook your eggs.

 

[PDXJULES]

Yes, very sound advice. Thank you. I had an old aquarium thermometer I also have now put in there next to my dual: temp and humidity one. I'll read them in 3 hours when I turn the eggs again. It is a still air incubator with no Turner. I didn't touch the eggs the 1st 24 hours they were in there, then this morning, at 24 hours turned them and rotated them around. And I will turn them every 4 hours and not turn them, and rotate then around the incubator but not at night. I hope it's just enough and not to much turning. I'm pretty quick about it. I grab 3 or 4 fron the middle and then roll the rest towards the middle and put the ones in middle on the outside.

Industry studies say that more turning nets higher hatch rates. But they are not opening the thing repeatedly. I'd add gentle tilting, or tipping of the container - if it is a tabletop model - between turnings if you can...til lockdown. An Oral Thermometer may fit in a vent hole to help confirm the main unit or another reading. I proceeded with my machine presets based on that - when 2 others i bought did not match each other - or the machine. I have 9 chicks in the brooder now from it! and 5 more passed a float test tonight day 24 - so they are still in there...so it may have been too cool after all and the eggs kept each other going! Good luck!

 

[Mom-ma B]

Industry studies say that more turning nets higher hatch rates. But they are not opening the thing repeatedly. I'd add gentle tilting, or tipping of the container - if it is a tabletop model - between turnings if you can...til lockdown. An Oral Thermometer may fit in a vent hole to help confirm the main unit or another reading. I proceeded with my machine presets based on that - when 2 others i bought did not match each other - or the machine. I have 9 chicks in the brooder now from it! and 5 more passed a float test tonight day 24 - so they are still in there...so it may have been too cool after all and the eggs kept each other going! Good luck!

Thank you, that is great advice. That way I'm not opening it but every 4 hours during the day, but can turn them slightly every 2 hours during the day. Aboutther quick question, is it 21 days once in the incubator?? Or 21 data from the day the egg was laid??

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

I don't think it's a bad way to go, tilting. However keep in mind you're using a still air incubator which works through stratification. Ideally it needs to be kept flat for it to be successful. If you do decide to tilt you'll need to reassess your temperatures in the high and low parts of the incubator.

The day the egg goes in is day 0. Day 1 starts at 24 hours in the incubator. They should hatch the same day of the week they're set.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Yes, very sound advice. Thank you. I had an old aquarium thermometer I also have now put in there next to my dual: temp and humidity one. I'll read them in 3 hours when I turn the eggs again. It is a still air incubator with no Turner. I didn't touch the eggs the 1st 24 hours they were in there, then this morning, at 24 hours turned them and rotated them around. And I will turn them every 4 hours and not turn them, and rotate then around the incubator but not at night. I hope it's just enough and not to much turning. I'm pretty quick about it. I grab 3 or 4 fron the middle and then roll the rest towards the middle and put the ones in middle on the outside.

My 2 cents: I find that the aquarium/terrarium thermometers are pretty accurate.
Good luck with your hatch!

 

[Mom-ma B]

My 2 cents: I find that the aquarium/terrarium thermometers are pretty accurate.
Good luck with your hatch!

Thank you!! It will definitely be a learning experience. I'm really trying not to stress over the eggs, but want all and any birds to be healthy that ends up hatching. Your advice was great, thank you.

 

[Mom-ma B]

I don't think it's a bad way to go, tilting. However keep in mind you're using a still air incubator which works through stratification. Ideally it needs to be kept flat for it to be successful. If you do decide to tilt you'll need to reassess your temperatures in the high and low parts of the incubator.

The day the egg goes in is day 0. Day 1 starts at 24 hours in the incubator. They should hatch the same day of the week they're set.

Thank you, that is what I thought, but wasn't 100% certain. I put them in Sunday morning around 8 a.m. I am SO EXCITED!! At the possibly and the process...... it's all very exciting. Trying not to stress to much over it all. Just want all and any chicks that hatch to be healthy. Trying to do my part to ensure that. Thank you for your advice.