Clueless

[RI Redd]

O. K . Tomorrow I am starting my first eggs in my new hova bator 1588. The manual says to incubate at 100 however the people I got the eggs from say run at 99.5. Dose it really make a difference? I really want to get these right because I didn't have time to run a test batch of inexpensive eggs. Can someone walk me through it?

 

[loveourbirds]

im more familiar with little giant, but im pretty sure i can get you through this.

first step in incubation, take a deep breath. remind yourself your mimicking nature, this is not modern science.

calibrate your thermometer. take 3 or 4 thermometers and put in the same area out of the sun. average the temperatures and check against the one you are using in your incubator. add or subtract from your thermometer as needed. just because a thermometer is digital does not make it accurate, some digital thermometers wont stand up to an incubator's humidity.

put water in 1/2 of the troughs. remove one vent plug, put in your turner if you have it. set the thermometer where your eggs will be and adjust your temp between 99.5 and 100. along your hatch your temp might jump a little, or drop a little. if it stays between 95 degrees and 105 degrees you are normally fine. however do minor adjustments to keep it as close to 99.5 as you can. you shouldn't have to adjust it much. if your power goes off, leave it shut. as long as the eggs don't get below 80 for a long time they will probably live, but your hatch may take an extra day.

each day open your incubator for 15 or so minutes, this simulates the hen getting off the eggs to eat. the slight cooling effect makes your chicks stronger and im sure the fresh air doesn't hurt either. this is a good time to do your candling or add water as needed.

on day 18 stop turning your eggs, take out a second vent plug. put water in all water troughs. don't open your incubator from day 18 on unless you have to add water. if you do open it (and the troughs are dry) lightly mist the eggs right before you close it. use water as close to the hatching temp as you can get it.

remember, a hen does not have a thermostat, a thermometer, a hygrometer, or a watch. the temps and humidities are our form of measurement for what they are doing.

when the chicks start hatching (piping) they will peck a small hole and normally stop for a little while. they have to absorb their yolk. if a chick has not hatched in 24 hours you may have to help it, but resist all urges before 24 hours. this link will help you if you do have to assist. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Is your incubator still air or does it have a fan? That's where it will make a difference. Bators that have the air circulated hold temps better than still airs. Mine is a still air, I run it between 100-101.5°. I keep 3 thermometers inside, each one usually reads something different, but as long as they're between those temps I'm good. If there's a fan the temp should stay consistent throughout, so you're safer keeping it closer to 99.5-100°. As the previous poster said, its not an exact science. There's a little wiggle room for fluctuation and error. I don't prop my bator open for any amount of time either. Just open it, turn, close and let them keep on cooking. Everyone does things differently. Read thru this section, there are lots of great tips and tricks