2015 breeding season

[KsKingBee]

from top to bottom I often get a degree temp variation sometimes, it does not seem to matter much at hatch. 98-101 your all good for the most part.

But what TYPE of eggs are you incubating? It does make a difference.

 

[Peafowlssssssss]

If i remember right the eggs will need lower temp at hatch, just a lower degree or half degree, that's why most incubators have the Hatcher tray at the bottom.

 

[rainbowhatchery]

True, we incubate pheasant and peafowl and they are a bit more moody in temps

 

[rainbowhatchery]

I have found chicken eggs are pretty hardy little suckers, so are chicks, people dont give them the credit they really deserve for their ability to survive, I have seen frozen eggs end up hatching.

 

[casportpony]

http://msucares.com/poultry/reproductions/poultry_temp.html
Poultry: Reproduction & Incubation
Incubation temperature requirements
The incubation temperature requirements for most hatching eggs is surprisingly uniform. The eggs of almost all domestic bird species (and many wild species) can be incubated at the same incubation temperature. Therefore, eggs of several different bird species can be incubated at the same time within the same incubator.

The incubation temperature of naturally (nest) incubated eggs is controlled by the hen. The recommended temperature within an artificial incubator depends upon the type of incubator being used. If the incubator used has a fan for air circulation, the temperature must be adjusted to 99-100o F.

An incubator without an air circulation system requires a higher temperature. The temperature in this "still-air" incubator is measured using a thermometer with the bulb positioned at the same level as the top of the incubating eggs. The recommended temperature in this type incubator is 102o F.

The reason for different temperatures is that circulating air warms all points around the egg shell while still air temperatures are warmer at the top of the egg than at the bottom. Therefore, increasing the temperature at the top of the egg will compensate for the egg's cooler parts. The same average egg temperature of 100o F can be maintained (for the entire egg) if the higher temperature of 102o F exists at the egg's uppermost point.

Do not allow temperatures to exceed these recommendations, even for only a short period of time. Although it is not recommended, slightly lower temperatures will not kill the chick embryos, but can increase incubation times and produce weakened chicks. Temperatures only a degree or two above the recommended temperatures can kill chicks within 15-30 minutes, depending on how high the temperature is and the stage of development of the chick embryo.

 

[casportpony]

https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/hatchingeggs.html
Egg Hatching Tips

1. Have your incubator ready and running at operating temerature.
2. Upon receving your eggs, let your eggs set at 50 to 60 degrees room temperature (do not refrigerate). Eggs should set for 6 to 12 hours prior to putting into your incubator.
3. Temperature should be set according to your incubators' manual. Temperatures in general are:
   Chicken, Bobwhite Quail, Chukar Partridge, Pheasant, Guinea: 99 3/4
   Peacock, Goose, Turkey 99 1/4
   Ducks 99 1/2
   Temperatures above are for forced air incubators. Still air incubators require a slightly higher temperature. Still incubators require 1 to 3 degrees higher operating temperature.
4. During incubation, the eggs should be turned 3 to 5 times per 24 hours if you do not have an automatic turner. (make sure your hands are clean when touching the eggs!) Stop turning the eggs 3 days prior to hatch or remove turner from incubator if using automatic turner. Eggs turned more frequently increases hatchability. Eggs turned odd number of times and on a regular schedule also increases hatchability. In still air models, when turning your eggs, move them to different locations each time to offset temperature variations which occurs in incubators with no fans.
5. Humidity: Again follow your incubators' manual. In general moisture levels should be: (for first 18 days)
   50 to 55 percent relative humidity
   83 to 87 % f on a wet bulb thermometer
   
   Three days prior to hatch, humidity level should be
   65 % f
   89 - 90 % f wet bulb. Excessive drying because of low humidity will cause chick to stick to the shell and fail to survive. Also remember too much humidity can cause hatching problems also.

 

[casportpony]

Quote: I've been lurking a little in the hatching eggs section, and it seems like so many people have been really disappointed when day 21 or 28 comes around and they realize that their temps were too low, humidity too high, and in some cases, both. Yes, maybe chicken eggs are more resilient, but many of the threads I have seen where of chicken eggs.

The next thing the posters are faced with is assisted hatching, but because they incubated at too low a temp, it's hard to say when they should assist.

Sigh, I guess it depresses me a little knowing that they would have had better hatch rates if they had followed the industry standards.

-Kathy

 

[MinxFox]

Thanks Kathy! Last time I hatched all eggs hatched, but I had issues with crooked toes. I am hoping the calcium was what was causing it, but the temp could be an issue as well. I have it at 100 now but I will bump it up to 102. I have been turning the eggs frequently and I added a 7th egg to the incubator today but I don't think I will put any more eggs in there.

 

[Birdrain92]

My aunt told me that she's seen crooked toes with other birds because the hen didn't get enough protein to develop properly. When I was hatching peachicks 2 years ago she told me that the most common cause for crooked toes is low protein in the hen.

 

[casportpony]

Thanks Kathy! Last time I hatched all eggs hatched, but I had issues with crooked toes. I am hoping the calcium was what was causing it, but the temp could be an issue as well. I have it at 100 now but I will bump it up to 102. I have been turning the eggs frequently and I added a 7th egg to the incubator today but I don't think I will put any more eggs in there.

If it's worked for you in the past, please don't alter anything based on what I said or posted.

Contact those that hatch a lot and ask them what they think curly toes are from. Here, at my place with my incubator I think it's due to amount of time in shell.

-Kathy