Diary & Notes ~ Air Cell Detatched SHIPPED Chicken Eggs for incubation and hatching

[foxvalleyfarm]

Between what you already had planned and what Oz has said I think you have a good plan. I would also dry as much water out as possible until you get a hygro and start candling and checking air cells. Keeping in egg cartons is a good idea since you are going to have such a crazy hatch. Turning early is really important. Twist up a paper towel and stuff an end thru the wire and let it wick up water for you. After that the heat will dry it out pretty quick. Good luck and keep us updated.

I picked up a cheap one at walmart and will set up when I get home and dry out the bator. What I'll do is put them on top of the heating pad(that heats my box bator) and drain it and wipe it dry. I'll then very slowly add water if I need to (only if the humidity drops below 20%. I will try to remember to update here but I will deff be updating my thread. And I am monitering cell size. I'm gonna trace them when I get home. Well as best as I can...

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Experienced Hatchers....I have a dilemma and need advice. I recently bought a Brinsea Eco 20 manual turn incubator. My other incubator is an old (1999) LG still air, manual turn incubator. I just bought an automatic turner for the LG. I have local barnyard mixed eggs coming and hopefully a few shipped specialty breeds. Last years shipped eggs not good. My DH has just informed me that he is gone on business for the first 8 days of incubation. I work 12 hour shifts and he is my egg turner when I work. Question..Do I start them in the LG with automatic turner and no fan, and move them at day 8( when husband returns) to the Brinsea manual w/ fan? Will I totally screw up the hatch moving them. What is more important the first 7 days ? I appreciate any input. Lynn Marie

Quote: I agree with oz Lynn Marie!

How are you!

Quote:

Hi foxvalley!!!

I agree with everything oz says about turning, and everything else, and you do need another bator! Ever think of making a coolerbator? I wouldnt trade all of mine for any other smaller size incubator!

Only thing to add about humidity is its not a number. Its important if your not weighing eggs to keep a close eye on air cells, I am not sure of your location or humidity levels, this varies from area to area, home to home. So those air cells need to tell you what they need. Be very gentle with rolling air cells, I have bad luck with them, they would start to grow and then somewhere along the line they would die. Loose air cells not a big issue unless saddle and makes for malpositions at the end.

I will keep my fingers crossed for them! what a great variety and I am jealous!

 

[ozexpat]

I agree with oz Lynn Marie!

How are you!




Hi foxvalley!!!

I agree with everything oz says about turning, and everything else, and you do need another bator! Ever think of making a coolerbator? I wouldnt trade all of mine for any other smaller size incubator!

Only thing to add about humidity is its not a number. Its important if your not weighing eggs to keep a close eye on air cells, I am not sure of your location or humidity levels, this varies from area to area, home to home. So those air cells need to tell you what they need. Be very gentle with rolling air cells, I have bad luck with them, they would start to grow and then somewhere along the line they would die. Loose air cells not a big issue unless saddle and makes for malpositions at the end.

I will keep my fingers crossed for them! what a great variety and I am jealous!

nice of you to show up!

lol

I hope you had a fun day!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote:

<snickers> I bet! ha ha ha

Been very busy! Been working in the garage since lunch! Wait until you see my brainstorm come to life! And DH is even thrilled to take my orders for once! I am so excited but I cant show it yet, have some gasket sealant drying so had to stop for the night

 

[foxvalleyfarm]

I've thought about making one, but am not very electrically inclined. So id probablyh burn my house down. I am weighing and tracing cells. And I have 2 that have pretty bad saddles. I'm gonna try to take some bad pics with my phone tomorrow morning.

 

[Caitlin_VT]

I've thought about making one, but am not very electrically inclined. So id probablyh burn my house down. I am weighing and tracing cells. And I have 2 that have pretty bad saddles. I'm gonna try to take some bad pics with my phone tomorrow morning.

There is an easier way than trying to wire it yourself - Incubator Warehouse sells incubator kits. Super easy! We bought the 100 watt one and installed it into a free wine cooler. It has been SO much more stable (in temp) than my styrofoam 'bators (I have the Genesis 1588). So far I would highly recommend it. $70 for an incubator that will be able to hold around 60-90 eggs...

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I've thought about making one, but am not very electrically inclined. So id probablyh burn my house down. I am weighing and tracing cells. And I have 2 that have pretty bad saddles. I'm gonna try to take some bad pics with my phone tomorrow morning.

please dont burn the house down!

Quote: sweetness


There are also some amazing videos that show you first hand what to do, if you would be interested foxvalley there is a wealth of knowhow on youtube too!

 

[Caitlin_VT]

I agree! So much information out there. If you can find a free/cheap wine cooler, GET IT! They are perfect; almost like a cabinet incubator (well insulated, clear glass door, etc). I'm going to be picking up a larger one this week... My turners will fit in it. And I am going to use the one I have currently as my hatcher. Ugh, so addicting!

BTW: What do you guys use as hatching trays? I'm going to need something that is high on all 4 sides. Should I just make something out of hardware cloth? Or are there better/easier ideas?

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I agree! So much information out there. If you can find a free/cheap wine cooler, GET IT! They are perfect; almost like a cabinet incubator (well insulated, clear glass door, etc). I'm going to be picking up a larger one this week... My turners will fit in it. And I am going to use the one I have currently as my hatcher. Ugh, so addicting!

BTW: What do you guys use as hatching trays? I'm going to need something that is high on all 4 sides. Should I just make something out of hardware cloth? Or are there better/easier ideas?

I see alot of people using simple dollar store crates and such I dont need anything in the coolerbators at hatch, sure makes it easy to clean up in them LOL

 

[Caitlin_VT]

I see alot of people using simple dollar store crates and such I dont need anything in the coolerbators at hatch, sure makes it easy to clean up in them LOL

That is what I was thinking. I will have to swing by a dollar store sometime soon... I was looking at the Brinsea ones, but I don't think they would fit in my wine-bator. I e-mailed them but haven't heard anything yet! Plus, much more $$!