1st timer advice... go for broke or start small?

[ol_grayfeather]

I'm about to buy a incubator kit off ebay (egg turner, fan, candle light - says just add eggs and water) Holds 42 eggs total. I have chickens already, so I can get fresh eggs. I've read you store the eggs pointy end down at 55-60* F for up to 7-10 days. I plan on setting it up and running it for a few days before I load it. I have read many posts about low success rates (many total failures) for the first timers.

Since this will be my first time, should I load it up or start with a dozen or so? I have read up on running an incubator and feel confident I can pull it off. I just don't like the thought of 42 rotten eggs stinking up my house.

Thanks

 

[Apriljc]

Well I was given 12. Only put 6 in and of those only 2 made it to full term. I'm not sure either will hatch.... So....if I were to do it again, I would start with at least 12 which might result in two babies. If u don't mind having a lot of chicks, I would go for more... Then you have a chance to at least get a small brood

 

[lebentier]

if it were me i would load as many eggs in there as i could gather in 5-7 days. have fun!

 

[nivtup]

Do your homework and go for broke.

It sounds like you have been doing the homework part, I predict success.

 

[Badbaby05]

Well I built my own bator. Also a first timer. I put 5 test eggs in and got 3 chicks, 1 didn't pip and the other quit early on. I stored my eggs in ice cream containers on the kitchen table for about 3 weeks, turning them once a day. I have got a second batch in my bator (these are the ones that sat on the table) and out of 30 eggs I have 25 live and wiggling embroys, 3 not sure and 2 I think have quit on me.

So if I was you I would set it up, get it going, test it to see if it keeps temp and if you can keep you humidity stable, try raising it too for lockdown time. If all is good over a 36-48 hr period then I would fill it.

 

[wowmanacat]

I have a homemade incubator and so far out of 17 eggs I have 13 that are still going strong and are to hatch in about 3 to 4 days. the one that did not make is were not fertile. My temp and humidity have been all over the place and all is good as of last night when I candled. I will have to open my incubator to turn three eggs and add water over the next few days. I have a double yolk egg in there that is starting to develop. It might not make it all the way but at least I am letting get a start to life.

 

[Chikndinner]

I say put alot in the first time also. That way if something does not go perfect you will still end up with enough chicks to be worthwhile to brood together. It would be terrible to only end up with one chick hatched.

But....like it was said. If you've done your homework you should be successful.

I built my first incubator and I ended up with an 80% hatch my first time.

All in all if you create the right ambient conditions for the eggs they will hatch. Does not matter how you get there.