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dont know how to incubate chicken eggs… help

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by pumpkinpiecoffe, Feb 11, 2013.

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  1. Feb 11, 2013 #1
    pumpkinpiecoffe

    pumpkinpiecoffe Out Of The Brooder

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    hey y'all, me and my family are wanting to hatch about 2 dozen fertile eggs eggs from 4 different hens and i have no idea what to do temperature wise, can y'all tell me what you know about the subject?! I have already put the eggs in (yesterday) but don't know what temp its at or what temp to keep them at please help
     
  3. Feb 11, 2013 #2
    thasista

    thasista Chillin' With My Peeps

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    The incubator should be at 99.5 degrees F. I don't add water for moisture until they are ready to hatch (day 18), then I crank up the humidity by adding water in the water trays. Good Luck!
     
  5. Feb 11, 2013 #3
    Fred's Hens

    Fred's Hens Chicken Obsessed Premium Member

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    Up North when it's hot, Down South when it's not.
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  7. Feb 11, 2013 #4
    pumpkinpiecoffe

    pumpkinpiecoffe Out Of The Brooder

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    is it okay that i put a put of water on there and spray them every two hours?
     
  9. Feb 11, 2013 #5
    sumi

    sumi Égalité Staff Member

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    Temperature in a forced air incubator (with a fan) should be 99*F and in a still air incubator (no fan) 101* measured on top of the eggs. Humidity should be 45% or thereabouts and during the last 3 days you lockdown and up it to 60-65%. Unless you do a "dry incubation". Turn the eggs minimum 3 times a day, more is better and stop turning on day 18.

    Here is an excellent article on incubating and hatching eggs that explains everything:

    https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

    and the "dry incubation method":

    https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-incubate-hatch-eggs-using-the-dry-incubation-method

    Best of luck with your hatch!
     
    1 person likes this.
  11. Feb 12, 2013 #6
    Sally Sunshine

    Sally Sunshine Cattywampus Angel <straightens Halo> Premium Member

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    Thank you for the kind words [​IMG]
    https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101
    you are very welcome to my notes, they are always in my signature! Sumi already linked you with it!
    [​IMG]Good luck with your hatch!
     
  13. Feb 12, 2013 #7
    gimmie birdies

    gimmie birdies Overrun With Chickens

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    put down the water bottle. please do NOT spray! they need water the most after day 18.
     
  15. Feb 12, 2013 #8
    Arielle

    Arielle Chicken Obsessed

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    Have you read the information in the links?? DO you have any questions??

    Do you have a thermometer? Which incubator are you using? I plan to set some eggs to ni ght. I suggest keping a log of sorts, record turning the eggs, the time, the temperature and the date. THe eggs must be turned 3-5 times a day and move them around to various locations in the incubator for even heating.

    Wash your hands well before handling.

    You must have questions?
     
  17. Jun 28, 2013 #9
    Angelak

    Angelak Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Ok I still am missing something on incubating eggs,,can someone help me out here?peacock eggs go on sides in incubating,but what end goes down in turners on ckn n duck eggs.I think after all the reading ive been doing my humidity has been to high to start am I right humidity at first before hatch needs to be 45%-55% on all eggs then before hatching humidity goes to 60%-65%?
    Hope to get help soon....
     
  19. Jun 28, 2013 #10
    sumi

    sumi Égalité Staff Member

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    If you are incubating them upright the pointy end must be down and the fat end up, if that's what you're asking? That way the air cell will develop in the correct position (fat end of the egg) The humidity you mentioned is fine. I incubate chicken and duck eggs at that. I haven't hatched any peacock eggs myself yet, but the recommended humidity I saw is 55% and 65% for lockdown.
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2013
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