California - Northern

[debs_flock]

Quote:
I blow it all out with canned air, then poke into as many spots as I can with a wet Q-tip.

I used to be absolutely careful about getting water into the top when I was washing, until I started thinking about the humidity it faces during each hatch. Now I wash the top with a sponge dipped in disinfectant, give it a quick rinse around the edges with plain water. If it gets a little water in the working parts, I don't worry about it.

Then I spray the entire thing inside and out, all parts, even the paper clips that hold the screen to the tray with Oxine water.

Then I do the part I consider most important. I leave the whole thing sitting outside in the sun for a few hours. The sun does an amazing job of disinfecting.

 

[BCollie]

So is it okay to use scented bleach to clean out my bator(styrofoam and water trays)? How much do I dilute it?

 

[chrissyr]

I blow it all out with canned air, then poke into as many spots as I can with a wet Q-tip.

I used to be absolutely careful about getting water into the top when I was washing, until I started thinking about the humidity it faces during each hatch.  Now I wash the top with a sponge dipped in disinfectant, give it a quick rinse around the edges with plain water.  If it gets a little water in the working parts, I don't worry about it.

Then I spray the entire thing inside and out, all parts, even the paper clips that hold the screen to the tray with Oxine water.

Then I do the part I consider most important.  I leave the whole thing sitting outside in the sun for a few hours.  The sun does an amazing job of disinfecting.

Awesome, thank you

 

[debs_flock]

So is it okay to use scented bleach to clean out my bator(styrofoam and water trays)? How much do I dilute it?

It should be fine. I use just all-purpose cleaner mixed in water, the same stuff I use to mop my floor. I generally have lemon or lavender, so scented bleach should be fine.

I finish with a spray of Oxine water.

But the most important part, rinse well and leave it all out in the sun to dry. Make sure you can't smell anything anymore before you use it again. Sunshine is an amazing disinfectant.

 

[BCollie]

Quote:
Thank you. I have 3 Tolbunt Polish eggs in the bator that I set a couple days ago, how long can they be out of the bator/without heat while I clean it?

 

[AlpineButterfly]

I don't know about incubators specifically, but typically I would use 10% bleach solution for disinfection.

 

[Audio51]

Quote:
Thank you. I have 3 Tolbunt Polish eggs in the bator that I set a couple days ago, how long can they be out of the bator/without heat while I clean it?

I know some of my hens leave the nest for 30 or more minutes at a time on a daily basis with no ill effects. I would say you have at lease that long.

 

[debs_flock]

Quote:
Thank you. I have 3 Tolbunt Polish eggs in the bator that I set a couple days ago, how long can they be out of the bator/without heat while I clean it?

Since you're doing a staggered hatch, I'd skip the sunshine part. Just wash it, rinse really well to get rid of any odor, dry it and put the eggs back in. Leave your eggs at room temperature in the turner while you work quickly. Even an hour should be fine.

Now you know why everyone moves on to the second (or more) incubator............staggered hatches

 

[ronott1]

@tommysgirl

The eggs shippped from chooks chicks came in very nice shape. They will be set for the 13th for calculating the hatch date.

They are 18 Konza Rangers and 5 Pita Pinta eggs.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

I understand completely! Until they are laying I keep questioning, and every single chick is a rooster. That's why I was so surprised to have a trio of the phoenix, then I lost my little man, probably get nothing but boys from the next hatch.

at least with that pattern you can tell within a week.

It's going to be a long night around here, I have pips & zips with lots of peeps galore! They are all from "party" eggs I bartered/won/was gifted or coerced into hatching

Ms Dyann... I'm pretty jazzed as I have @chiqita Bresse, @Chooklet Cochin, @PetRock Pita Pinta and from @Sueg4332 Salmon Faverolle and Wheaten Marans! Hatch day excitement never gets old.

me too. olive eggers and penedesenca pipping away

How do you guys clean our your incubators/water trays? I have the Geneis 1588.

I was using a 10/1 water vinegar solution and that works great. may try un activated oxine this time

Since you're doing a staggered hatch, I'd skip the sunshine part. Just wash it, rinse really well to get rid of any odor, dry it and put the eggs back in. Leave your eggs at room temperature in the turner while you work quickly. Even an hour should be fine.

Now you know why everyone moves on to the second (or more) incubator............staggered hatches

I have 3
A Genesis
R-Com max 20
and occasionally Deb