ATTENTION NEWBIES TO INCUBATING

[HickoryHollow]

I am starting my new hatch today.
Hatch #1 was a total failure.

I have a stupid question, more of a thought, but...

Could I set up a nest in my incubator, and just set my eggs in the bedding like what would be in a momma bird's nesting box?

My incubator is now set at 102°. Humidity steady at 43%. I used a make shift turner last hatch, (egg carton).
This hatch, I am laying the eggs on the wire "floor". So far I noticed that they seem to stay pretty upright...

Any thoughts?

I have to agree with bludog. I don't see any reason for a nest in an incubator. Your temp of 102 is just a little high, I would lower that. Also humidity of 43 might be a little high this early too. Not a lot, just a little adjustment would be suggested. Maybe 100 at 40% for now. At least if your surroundings are like mine here in Ohio that is..............

 

[Cowpoke]

I am saving my pennies for an RCom Pro 20 One day!

http://www.strombergschickens.com/product/RCOM-20-Pro-Digital-Incubator/advanced-incubators

Gee, they are proud of that one!!!

You may want to check this one out: http://aibrooderincubator.com/shop/...AUCPu4j8f9BTBwqSPJGvo&shop_param=cid=2&aid=3&

And here:

http://www.r-com-hatcher.com/index....e-eggs-turning.-Free-USA-Shipping/MX-Suro.htm

 

[blucoondawg]

No way would I pay the price they want for Rcoms when they only hold 20 eggs, that is ridiculous, I could build a nice cabinet incubator for far less money. That Rcom Suro by the way has had some bad reviews I have seen in various sites.

 

[blucoondawg]

Just set a second batch in my Farm Innovators fan incubator yesterday, I am running at 30% humidity that is usually what I average with a low of maybe 20 and a high of 40. I haven't gotten into recording weights or air cell sizes yet like Hickory Hollow has, I figure I will do that when I get my cabinet built so I can figure out the best way to set it up. Right now I am just going by my hatch rates and this dry hatch has done me well before.

 

[HickoryHollow]

Today is day 6. Tonight after work, I will be weighing again. If my guess is right, they will be about right. I have increased the humidity some since they were losing a little fast the first time. I am running close to 40% right now. The first 3 days it was around 30%.

 

[HickoryHollow]

Geesh, this is getting to be a lot of work. I recalculated everything tonight to the decimal point and recalculated the average. My weight loss is still a little high, or fast, so I will be raising the humidity even a little higher. The eggs highlighted in yellow are REALLY loosing weight way to fast. I suspect they are infertile.

 

[blucoondawg]

did you candle them?

 

[HickoryHollow]

did you candle them?

No, I haven't yet but will soon.

 

[HickoryHollow]

Humidity upped to about 45% now. For a day or so before this last weighing it was running about 35%

 

[Daedalus62]

Hi Tim,

Have you been keeping record of your humidity settings throughout the process?... In the end, it will be interesting to know the average humidity value from days 1 to 18...

Cheers

Carlos