Bacteria in Homemade Incubator

[Pam & Rodney]

Hi,

This is my first hatch and I am a little bit nervous mommy. I have a homemade incubator (large ice chest) and tomorrow (8/25) is last turn day. I am concerned about two things. Bacteria in the incubator when chicks hatch and chicks/eggs having enough oxygen.

Can I wipe out the incubator with something quickly to kill any excessive bacteria in the incubator? I was thinking a mixture of listerine and water but I'm not sure about fumes for the babies.

also - for the last 3 days of incubation when I'm not turning eggs should I still open the lid briefly to let in good air?

Im afraid if I search for answers in the Raising Chickens for dummies book it will take me 3 days to find the answer. Please help if you can.

Pammy

 

[2txmedics]

welcome and hello...does your bator have a fan??? did you install a computer fan in it? 7.99 at radio shack...and you need vent holes in your bator...that you can cover later if you need too...need vents to move air, chicks need oxygen through there shell

 

[Chicky Tocks]

After your hatch is done, mix some clorox bleach and water in a spray bottle. Spray down the inside of your bator and let it sit til it's dry. Then rinse it well and put it out in the sun to let the rinse dry. Voila. You're ready to hatch again!

 

[Pam & Rodney]

No fan in the ice chest. There is a vent hole but its in the bottom like when you want to let water out of the ice chest. The book was an afterthought and took forever to get here. The only oxygen they have been getting is when I open the lid to turn the eggs or open it briefly when it appears to be getting too warm. Also - are you saying I shouldnt wipe it out 'till after the hatch?

 

[Sillystunt]

LOL, poke some holes.....2 in the bottom and 2 at top. The 2 a top regulate humidity. They will be fine..........DO NOT EVER OPEN THE BATOR AFTER DAY 18!!!!!
Your eggs will be fine, just remember sometimes the don't hatch. It's part of life. Clean the bator after your hatch with bleach.
good luck

 

[Akane]

If you haven't hatched in the bator yet then there should be very minimal bacteria. Unless you set a very dirty egg there shouldn't be a noticeable level at all so no reason to clean it now. Any cleaning solutions will take time to evaporate or dry otherwise the residue left behind could kill them.

You do need vent holes. Opening the bator let's out too much of the hot humid air and can kill the chicks while they are hatching but they still need to breathe. It would be best to have a humidity gauge in the bator so you can see exactly how much moisture is left and how much more air you can let in. The more ventilation the better so long as you can maintain humidity.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:
Excellent advice. You do need ventilation, the eggs and chicks need oxygen and will die for lack of! No cleaning til after the hatch is completed.