About to try my hand at incubating!

[Chicky Mama]

Hi,
I've got my Brinsea octo 20 w\ urner fired up and eggs arrived today, but nervous about messing it up . Is there any tips to know, most worried about the humidity. Another thing is if I start these eggs can I add others or would it throw things off at hatch time to have some a week or so behind or should I wait and start them all together?
If I should wait how long are eggs good for ? Do they need time after shipping to rest before going in the bator?
Please lend me your knowledge.

 

[Mahonri]

I only hear great things about that incubator, but I would NOT do a staggered hatch.

 

[hyperslug]

I just had my first hatch so I'm no expert but from my research on this site and elsewhere here are some things I would do regarding your first hatch.

1) Based on reports I have read, the hatch rate increases if you sterilize the eggs and incubator. I used Tek-Trol but Brinisa makes one as well. This article is for guineas but still applys.

http://www.guineafowlinternational.org/articles/washing.php

2) I learned this after setting my eggs that it is best to wait about 24 hours after you receive mail order eggs to set them.

3) I would not do a staggered hatch unless I had a 2nd incubator where I could move my eggs to hatch once they get to day 18. Day 18 is when you stop turning and crank up the humidity.

Good luck, Jeff

 

[Chickie Mamma]

I wish I had that incubator.. I heard its pretty fool proof. I would not recommend a staggered hatch. I have done it so many times, but the ones due "later" usually have trouble hatching. If you open the bator to remove the the first hatched chicks, the humidity levels fall and can affect the rest. This is just my experience. Nothing more than a day apart is my rule.

 

[Chicky Mama]

Well, glad to hear about the Incubator,now it's up to the people and mother nature.
My other question is about the eggs and how long they'll they'll be hatchable. I Emailed the breeder to find out how old they are,hopefully they're very fresh and it works out. I want the Sultans that are comming!

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
I kept humidity in mine eco 20 between 30 and 50 % until day 18.

Under Florida conditions it meant filling one well with water.

At day 18 fill second well with water and if humidity does not go to 60+ put some small piece of fabric into one well so some of it extends 1 or 2 inches toward the edge to increase evaporation area .

I got great hatch in mine on shipped eggs.

If an egg is hatchable Brinsea ECO will hatch it.

Relax, this is not Little Giant or other styro crap.