Before you plug in your new incubator...

[debilorrah]

Please, please, please do your research. You will need to know the basics before you plug that thing in and set your eggs. Use BYC's search feature. Know about temps, humidity, turning, number of days for what you are hatching, how to lockdown properly.

I have seen too many posts lately with people who just plugged it in, set the eggs, THEN come here and ask questions that should have been answered before they started. Gather your information prior to starting and save yourselves many, many panicky hours.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

That can probably be blamed on the directions that come with the incubators. Just enough to make you thing you know enough to start.

 

[ranchhand]

Amen, hallelujah, let me join the choir!

Very good advice. Don't forget brooding chicks, it's part of the hatching process, too.

 

[Jenski]

Can we add this as a sticky?

 

[debilorrah]

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I really feel for people who are not properly prepared, at least as much as they can be. We have all come here and hollered for help, but the basics should be required information!

 

[RioLindoAz]

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I second that!

 

[debilorrah]

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I second that!

Yeah, the Brinsea directions must have been translated from another language to english because some of the sentences were so convoluted I didn't even bother.

 

[chicken_china_mom]

You are absolutely right. When I got my first bator, I immediately came here to ask for guidance so that I didn't mess things up. As time has gone on, I've learned a lot. I've learned that the little thermostat stapled to that piece of plastic does not gauge the temperature good enough to get a decent hatch rate on shipped eggs. I've learned that a turner makes all the difference in the world. I've learned how to properly disinfect an incubator after chicks have hatched, and SOOOOOOOOOO much more! The little directions that come in the box are ridiculous. It's the people of BYC that have made all the difference in the world. My first hatch, I got one chick. My second hatch? I had more than 30 hatch. BIG difference. I am glad that there is a network of people out there that are educated in the different areas of raising chickens. And I'm VERY glad that different people are knowledged in all the different types of incubators there are out there! You are absolutely right Debi, people need to do their homework before they set that first batch of eggs. Those are little lives ready to be born once you set them in that bator, and you should know how to help them in the best way possible BEFORE you start them down that road. It doesn't take much to look up some information, but it can make all the difference in the world.

 

[debilorrah]

It breaks my heart when I see people who got their information too late to do any good, and then they want to give up. It doesn't have to be that way. No one is ever going to know everything about hatching that first time, but basic information will save your hatch. And we are all here to help as the hatch progresses.

 

[PepsNick]

Debi, do you know a lot about the genesis? Can I PM you with a question overload? Or should I make a thread about it?