BEST HATCHES : Give us all your best results

[ChazsChikNCoop]

Great post! Has anyone ever heard of adding a SMALL amount of bleach to the bottom of your incubator to kill bacteria? I have had a horrible hatch rate in my incubator while doing things correctly so I was told it could be bacteria.

 

[cluckychick]

Quote:
Yes, I allow my bator to soak in the tub in a bleach solution and then outside to dry in the sun (when it's out). Lots of people on here do it.

 

[klf73]

Quote:
I wouldn't use bleach during incubation but I always bleach in between batches.

 

[cluckychick]

# of Eggs Set: 4 1st time 7 second time
# of Eggs Hatched: 4 & 7
Percentage % : 100%
Type of Incubator: broody hen
Ave Temp Setting thru hatch:
Humidity setting Day 1-17 :
Humidity setting Day 18-21:
LOCATION: In a dog kennel in barn, Missouri
EGGS: PU nearby within 10 miles
Variety (breed) of chicken: Mixed
Month of year: October


# of Eggs Set: 33 (after pulling out nonfertile blue eggs)
#of Eggs Hatched: 29
Percentage%: 88%
Type of Incubator: 1602 Hovabator w/turner
Ave Temp Thru Hatch: 99-101
Humidity on setting day: 43%
Humidity on Hatch Day: 65-80%
Location: Bedroom house, Missouri
Eggs: PU 3 hr drive round trip
Variety: BR, NHR, Maran BR hatched 1st, NHR hatched a day later
Month of Year: Febuary

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:
I wouldn't use bleach during incubation but I always bleach in between batches.

Same here clean the #1583 bottom, wire rack and plastic well in a small solution of weak bleach water, Dawn and warm not hot hot water, soak in the tub. Wipe down the top. Lyons has to be wiped down in the same solution as those are metal. Then air dry and leave in the sun for the day.

 

[tinners204]

# of Eggs Set:20
# of Eggs Hatched:17
Percentage % :85%
Type of Incubator: Hovabator forced air
Ave Temp Setting thru hatch:99.5
Humidity setting Day 1-17 :45%
Humidity setting Day 18-21: I add water on day 18
LOCATION: South Central Iowa
EGGS: Own Pen
Variety (breed) of chicken:Black Ostralorp X Buff Orpington
Month of year:Feb. 1st. hatch
We have a wood fireplace so it was not uncommon to have a 10 degree temperature swing in the room. Did not cover the incubator or do anything different. Dry incubation seems to work best for me I just put a humidifier in the room and keep it around 45%

 

[Mahonri]

I'm learning.

Seems like for lower altitudes a lower humidity is best for the first 17 days. (30-40%) then up it to 65-70% for the last three days.

 

[MissPrissy]

All of my hatches from spring through summer on my own orpington eggs were 100% hatches. I did 7 different incubations using my homemade bators and hovabator 1588's.

 

[ChazsChikNCoop]

So would most of you recomend using a turner? I am getting ready to incubate some silkie eggs and I was wondering if I should try turning them myself. Like I said up until now I have not had good hatch rates. I will get my incubator going today or tomorrow and they will be sent out Monday. Any tips are greatly appreciated!! (Let me know if I need to move my posts)

 

[Mahonri]

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But you didn't fill in the blanks!!!

Inquiring minds want to know how you made 100% so often.

Humidity levels?
Temps?

etc...