Beginner's Hatch-A-Long

[dutchbunny83]

Thank you guys!
That was the only one that looked that way so now I'm thinking I cracked my only growing one!
I just bought the basic incubator for like $50 at TSC and it has been awful at holding the temp right.
I'm not checking them anymore, I will see in 2 weeks if I have chicks!
Hopefully I don't have rotten ones explode in the mean time...
I think my candling light is too weak...

 

[BeccaBeeOly]

Sounds good! Does your Brinsea hold temperature good?

Hope I don't curse myself, but yes! So far so good! The Brinsea mini eco is holding rock solid at 99.8 f. I did have to adjust it before I started the hatch, because it was running at 98.8, but it's easy to adjust. The other nice thing is that it is so small the temp equalizes very quickly after I open it to turn.

 

[EggieRowe]

I think I read that the TSC ones aren't bad if you retrofit them with a computer fan to circulate the air, but don't quote me. I was worried about rotten eggs but I've been told exploding eggs are a rather rare. When it does happen its usually one that had cracks, was dirty, or porous when initially candled.

 

[ivyrash]

This evening will mark day two for me. I am trying to keep from opening mine up except for very quickly to add water if needed. Temp is holding good so far and I have a hygrometer on the way because I don't think the one that is attached is good for much. I ran the incubator empty and closed up for 12 hours and the humidity was still over 50% so I am guessing it's not working right. When is the best day to candle some? I am thinking around day 5 would be good. I have light tan eggs and blue/green eggs.

 

[EggieRowe]

This evening will mark day two for me. I am trying to keep from opening mine up except for very quickly to add water if needed. Temp is holding good so far and I have a hygrometer on the way because I don't think the one that is attached is good for much. I ran the incubator empty and closed up for 12 hours and the humidity was still over 50% so I am guessing it's not working right. When is the best day to candle some? I am thinking around day 5 would be good. I have light tan eggs and blue/green eggs.

Humidity is going to be relative to your house, but 50% does sound high in a closed incubator with no added water. Are the vent plugs in? Day 5 is good, 7 probably better. I candled my broody's eggs at Day 4 and could only make out veins in white eggs. I couldn't tell in the brown and green eggs so I did it again at Day 7.

 

[ivyrash]

Humidity is going to be relative to your house, but 50% does sound high in a closed incubator with no added water. Are the vent plugs in? Day 5 is good, 7 probably better. I candled my broody's eggs at Day 4 and could only make out veins in white eggs. I couldn't tell in the brown and green eggs so I did it again at Day 7.

I'm not stressing too much about it. I will do my best and that is all that I can do. I put a little bit of water in one of the small spaces in the bottom and I have one vent open and we will see how far off the gauges are when the new one comes. I figured temp was a lot more important for now. I need to start making notes about what I do so I know what to change when, not if I do it again! I may look at one or two of the lighter ones around day 5 and then wait till day 7 to do more.

 

[EggieRowe]

I candled again and still have 3 with really odd air cells and one that looks under developed, but more developed than it was at Day 14. Maybe it will just be a runt? I took the turner out and topped off the water. Holding a nice 65% humidity as of this AM. One started rocking around a minute or so after I had locked it down. Sooo excited!

 

[DavidKerk]

I candled again and still have 3 with really odd air cells and one that looks under developed, but more developed than it was at Day 14. Maybe it will just be a runt? I took the turner out and topped off the water. Holding a nice 65% humidity as of this AM. One started rocking around a minute or so after I had locked it down. Sooo excited!

Sounds very promising! I hope you have a good hatch!

 

[Mamahumecky]

blood ring yes?


some veining on an americauna egg


more veining on americauna egg


blood ring yes?


more veins




It's day 8, we candled allt he eggs. I am afraid to cull anything since I am not 100% positive what I'm looking at. but most had good veins i could trace air cells i just want at least two of the 12 americaunas and 2 of the cochins i bought i'd be happy there are 34 or something eggs in there...

 

[abmaddox1981]

I'm new to incubating too! I have 24 turkey eggs in my farminovator incubator. Temp and humidity have been good, now that I finally figured out what I'm doing. LOL. I am on day 12 but can't see squat in my eggs when I candle! I looked up egg candling on bing (because google is the devil) and finally found one with turkey eggs. Pic looks like what I'm seeing so I'm assuming it's all good. Good luck to everyone on your hatches!