Couple questions from a first time hatcher, w/ homemade bator & shipped Araucana eggs!

I've read a lot of the posts under incubating.... And, I read the posts regarding shipped eggs - uggh! I'm trying to do everything possible to have, or increase the hatch rate on my precious babies I even carved out holes in the bottom of the carton/holders for more oxygen

The scenario:

Climate: NW Washington state, about 200ft elevation and 35 miles from the coast.

I built this bator - I couldn't find a cheap cooler (even goodwill), so I bought a storage box at WalMart. (Photos are attached.) It has an egg turner, fan, w/h thermostat and 2 lights. I have 2 analog thermometers and one analog hygrometer. Tomorrow I will buy an acu-rite digital from WalMart.

I've been testing the bator, empty, for a couple of days. It's maintaining a temp of about 97F and 38C - the thermometers read just slightly different. The hygrometer is holding steady at 30% - 33% humidity (dry). I'll add a damp or wet sponge before lockdown....

Lights cycle on & off regularly (2-3 min), not too long or too short. I've taken readings in different areas and the box seems to have a stable climate.

The eggs shipped on Saturday and arrive tomorrow (Tuesday). I'll pop them in the bator as soon as I can - the temps here have been stable for a few days, so they shouldn't need to adjust or settle before I put them in.





I know there are lots of opinions, so lay it on me - is the temp (too lo?) and humidity good for starting a hatch? Is there anything else I can do to help the hatch rate?

My biggest question: tell me about ventilation. How many holes should I have in 56qt box? Where should they be located? It's a small box, so I have 3/16" holes near the base, one on each side and a couple near the top.

I've never set eggs before, so I'm not sure what my habits will be like, most likely a 'hands off,' set and forget approach..... I don't have a scale for weighing eggs.... not sure how much I'll candle.... I just really want some Araucanas!

Thanks in advance!

 

Thank you! I'll definitely consider your advice, my only reason for not letting them rest is due to age. They'll be at least 4 or 5 days old by the time I get them, but other than that, I'm in no hurry to put them in....So maybe I should rest them

 

No, I didn't calibrate.... I could do that tomorrow before mail runs! - Or, when I go to WallyWorld to get the digital temp/hygro, I could get 2 new units....

Do you think 30 - 35% humidity is alright? I'm dry right now.....

For ventilation, I might need to add one or two more top holes, but in any case, I'll just be leaving them all unplugged....Can you advise on venting?

Thank you for the input , I'll be monitoring this thread for more!

 

Great, I can do that Last night I adjusted the temp up just a hair, so this morning it's reading 39C/100F and 31% humidity.... I'll put two more vent holes in, near the top and bottom and monitor accordingly.

I read the calibration page, but I'll need to go back and review it again....

Ravyn, I love your birds! I got 36 eggs from Edd Sheppard's hatchery down in Redding CA. He's looking to retire/sell the hatchery soon, so I got some of his birds before who-knows-what happens.... It looks like I'll be lucky if I get a 50% hatch rate from shipped eggs.... I'll be happy if I get any!

 

The humidity gauge I have is zoo-med, a reptile gauge. It has dual temp on it, but I'm not sure it's submersible I'm off to WalMart after the eggs get here, I'll check and see what they have for digital set-ups, maybe visit Home Depot...

It seems that not many people raise Araucana chickens, I had a difficult time finding a reputable breeder. I looked around about 3 years ago and gave up... I'm fortunate that he was in the same region - do you ever have hatching eggs to offer BYCers? After I made the purchase from Sheppard, I saw an ebay seller in SC with a half dozen at auction, but that's all I've seen.

Going to the freezer now to perform the calibration check.....

Thanks again, me and the eggs appreciate it! LOL ....