Arkansas folks speak up.........

[Puddin Fluff]

Total hatch: 30. Total sold 29. Lost one that became weak and gave up.

Yeah! how many did you set?

 

[draye]

Set 40. Had a 75% hatch rate overall. I'll know exactly percent tomorrow after I throw out the unhatched one and find out how many weren't fertile.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Set 40. Had a 75% hatch rate overall. I'll know exactly percent tomorrow after I throw out the unhatched one and find out how many weren't fertile.

That's awesome!

What kind of incubator do you use? What is your secret?

You hatch quite often don't you? I imagine you have it down to quite a science.

 

[draye]

Its GQF. I think its the Sportsman, but not really positive. It holds almost 300 eggs. Never filled it that full though. 108 is the most I've ever put in at once. That line had only about s 40% hatch rate. I had it sitting in the wrong place,
Its been moved for this hatch.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Its GQF. I think its the Sportsman, but not really positive. It holds almost 300 eggs. Never filled it that full though. 108 is the most I've ever put in at once. That line had only about s 40% hatch rate. I had it sitting in the wrong place,
Its been moved for this hatch.

. Talk about chicken math! That's professional grade.

I used borrowed styrobators for mine. I am holding for a broody hatch this year if the timing is right, if not, I'll incubate next spring. We like to travel so I have to plan hatching around trips and kid activities.

 

[draye]

. Talk about chicken math! That's professional grade.

I used borrowed styrobators for mine. I am holding for a broody hatch this year if the timing is right, if not, I'll incubate next spring. We like to travel so I have to plan hatching around trips and kid activities.

Those Styrofoam Bator's have never worked for me. One time I got development in it, but nithujng hatched,

Off and on hatching for mne I usually hatch a early year hatch for myself and another in the fall. If I hatch others they are usually for sale chicks.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Those Styrofoam Bator's have never worked for me. One time I got development in it, but nithujng hatched,

Off and on hatching for mne I usually hatch a early year hatch for myself and another in the fall. If I hatch others they are usually for sale chicks.

I got around 30%+ with both hatches. I was pleased with my numbers with everything considered. I just do it for fun, I have sold extra birds but it is usually the roos who have to go.

 

[draye]

That why I have two hatches for my self, so I have replacement hens. Unless I need a rooster then those are mostly sold. I occasionally butcher a couple.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I use a Hovabator 1588, a forced air Styrofoam incubator. I've hatched 5 out of 5 shipped turkey eggs from LuckyPickens who used to be active on this thread. I had a 33% hatch from chicken eggs I picked up myself from someone else. I think I shook them up really badly on the drive home over some really rough country dirt roads. I should have cushioned them better.

Some of my hatches are better than others but I can normally count on a minimum 70% success rate with my own eggs, usually a little better. My rate is based on number of eggs that go in the incubator and the number of chicks that come out. I open the unhatched ones to see if they failed because of hatchability (fertility, poor handling or storage, too hot, too cold, something like that) or because of something that happened in incubation (heat, humidity, turning). I’d like to have a better place to store my eggs. I use a spare bedroom at room temperature and keep them in a turner. I think my rate would go up with better storage but I just start more eggs to get the number of chicks I want. That’s easier and cheaper than building some climate controlled storage place.

All my hatches are for my use, either replacement rooster or pullets or for the table. I need 40 to 45 chicks a year to have chicken Thursday night. Travel of something else comes up often enough to disrupt that schedule so that’s all I hatch, about half with broodies and half with my incubator.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

I use a Hovabator 1588, a forced air Styrofoam incubator. I've hatched 5 out of 5 shipped turkey eggs from LuckyPickens who used to be active on this thread. I had a 33% hatch from chicken eggs I picked up myself from someone else. I think I shook them up really badly on the drive home over some really rough country dirt roads. I should have cushioned them better.

Some of my hatches are better than others but I can normally count on a minimum 70% success rate with my own eggs, usually a little better. My rate is based on number of eggs that go in the incubator and the number of chicks that come out. I open the unhatched ones to see if they failed because of hatchability (fertility, poor handling or storage, too hot, too cold, something like that) or because of something that happened in incubation (heat, humidity, turning). I’d like to have a better place to store my eggs. I use a spare bedroom at room temperature and keep them in a turner. I think my rate would go up with better storage but I just start more eggs to get the number of chicks I want. That’s easier and cheaper than building some climate controlled storage place.

All my hatches are for my use, either replacement rooster or pullets or for the table. I need 40 to 45 chicks a year to have chicken Thursday night. Travel of something else comes up often enough to disrupt that schedule so that’s all I hatch, about half with broodies and half with my incubator.

Someone on another thread recommended the same incubator. Apparently they have a version that automatically sets the temp at 100. I think I am going to keep my eyes open and see what I find. I am not in a hurry. Just trying to educate before I purchase something. So far I have just borrowed for hatches.

I broke my broody so I am hoping she tries again in a few weeks. Who knows.