Can I use a Reptile Incubator for Chicken Eggs (Reptipro5000)

[JenEric Farms]

Can't wait to see how this turns out! I would definitely buy one of these if it all works out. How many eggs do you think it would hold total?

oldtimegator - I have three of your silkies that hatched out last weekend. Here's a pic of them taken today:

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Cute, cute, cute... That black look just like my blacks when I hatched them. I just hatched a splash that looks like the one in the back right.

 

[JenEric Farms]

That little black has a nice vault. I am assuming I hatched 1 black, 1 blue and 1 splash. So perfect! I hope it's two girls and a boy and it will be perfect.

 

[ChicknCharm]

Those are SUPER CUTE CHICKS. We have 14 australorps hatch last week with two broody silkies. They are amazing Moms.

This unit could hold several eggs, you would need to make a second shelf out of some kind of 1/4 inch material....maybe something with a grid on it for airflow. Simply use the one shelf that comes with it as a pattern and cut. I was thinking some kind of plastic light fixture cover. Or, maybe some of the plastic covered wire, or even plywood with some ventilation holes drilled. I have not gotten that far. You could get 18-24 on one shelf, it would make hand turning difficult, though. I have 8 on the top shelf with lots of room.

I hope we have good news on Tuesday or Wednesday. I am going a little nuts since I cannot candle them...they were so neat to watch move inside the egg. Pure magic!

 

[bel]

Cute little silkies!

If anyone wonders about egg trays, some of the cheap ones can be cut down to fit.

I got these off ebay, and a friend who is handy with a saw cut down a couple for me, he took off the edges and it fit perfectly. I was thinking of taking a plastic basket (like they sell at the dollar store with mesh on the sides) drill holes in the bottom, then turn it upside down for an extra shelf. or build a strong frame and use plastic canvas or hardwear cloth and the shelf to allow good airflow.

I was going to prop one side up on a wedge shaped item or bit of PVC tube, then switch sides to turn the eggs, but havent used the unit yet, I think I want to mod it andd add another fan first.

 

[ChicknCharm]

I'm having an anxiety attack about airflow...could not sleep last night. I got up this morning and felt the humidity was dropping too low, it was just above 55 or 56%...so I added back the 1/2 sandwich size water conainer (about thirty minutes ago) and we are at 65%.

Airflow anxiety: here is my question, can I candle one egg to make sure it is still moving? We are in day 19...on lockdown since yesterday at about noon. I opened once for a split sec this morning to take out old container and put new one in. Of course, there is no guarantee it will move when I candle, so I could just be letting myself in for many more sleepless nights. You see, before I was opening the door about 5 times quickly a day to turn the eggs.

Should I open the door quickly twice a day to ensure airflow?

Is this really not an issue at all?

Will hatching make me have to seek therapy? Our last batch in the LG had two that pipped and zipped, but did not make it out. I don't want to hurt the little chics I saw moving in these eggs Friday night.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I really don't think you have a problem but it certainly won't hurt to open the door quickly 2-3 times per day!!

 

[ChicknCharm]

Thank you! Thank you!
Here is another question: when should the eggs start to wiggle? Day 19 here.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I have to say that I don't usually see a lot of wiggling in my eggs but I hatch in an egg carton so it probably isn't as noticeable. Just to say don't be worried if you don't see them wiggle much at all.

 

[bel]

I don't know about airflow (maybe an air vent is another mod for the one here) but just went through the worry about them not moving with eggs hatching here. Friday was day 21 there only 1 pip and no progress, yesterday he zipped and so did 2 more, then this morning I now have 4 chicks out total and 3 more pips on the eggs that were not moving. I was thinking all sorts of bad things had happened, but now have healthy chicks. So don't give up.


I don't know about therapy but this hatch makes me want to bottle a box of hair dye, because I think I went a little more gray yesterday.