Bought my first incubator

[pauljv]

I recently bought an acreage that has two chicken coops. Me and my girls couldn't wait for shipping on an incubator so we headed to the local Theisens and bought an incubator. We got the farm innovators pro series with the turner and circulated air. Does anyone have any experience with this particular model? Any tips or advice. We are going to start looking for hatching eggs soon. Any advice will help immensely.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I recently bought an acreage that has two chicken coops. Me and my girls couldn't wait for shipping on an incubator so we headed to the local Theisens and bought an incubator. We got the farm innovators pro series with the turner and circulated air. Does anyone have any experience with this particular model? Any tips or advice. We are going to start looking for hatching eggs soon. Any advice will help immensely.

Advice: Have a second thermometer and make sure all thermometers and hygrometers are checked for accuracy even when new. Never trust a thermometer that hasn't been checked, even and especially the ones on the bators.

Try to get local eggs, especially for first hatch and learning what works in the new bator. You don't want to spend a lot of money and have a crappy hatch.

Understand that once they start internally pipping, it can take FOREVER before you see an external pip and once you see that it can take FOREVER before they zip to hatch. (OK, anywhere between a few hours and 24 hours- but it will feel like forever.) Helping by assisting should be only if needed and read the step by step guide on here- very helpful.

Ask questions. A lot of knowledgeable people on here can give you an idea of idea on how they do it and this can help you figure out what is best for you.

When you find something that is working for you, don't let anyone tell you you are doing it wrong. Everyone has different methods that work to varying degrees for different people.

Consider a low humidity incubation if you don't live in a high elevation or arid climate. These methods have proven to be very effective especially in styro bators. Monitoring air cells will help you know how to adjust humidity. (There is no magic number for humidity.) I use this method: http://letsraisechickens.weebly.com...anuals-understanding-and-controlling-humidity

Another great read and big source of info is the Hatching 101 thread here on BYC.

Good luck on your hatch and

 

[pauljv]

Thanks so much for the info

 

[AmyLynn2374]

You're welcome.