EDUCATIONAL INCUBATION & HATCHING CHAT THREAD, w/ Sally Sunshine Shipped Eggs

[Chaos18]

Likely. Chaos seems ready to throw a club at anything in the way.

Just don't get between me and my seals and nobody gets hurt.

 

[BullChick]

Sorry, I should have listed you after reading two pages of the clubbing debate. Maybe I got hit in the head.

LOL

Just don't get between me and my seals and nobody gets hurt.

And if I do?

 

[Chaos18]

Then why should that be a cause for distrusting the archbishop?

Because you think ducks are higher up the food chain than guineas.

 

[daxigait]

@casportpony
Hey thanks to all that commented about the loss of Kristy.
My vet did a basic necropsy for me. She said she had an egg with no shell loose in her abdomen and no other eggs. Also nothing else was obviously wrong.

 

[Chaos18]

LOL

And if I do?

You'll get a finger in the ear.

 

[BantyChooks]

​

Because you think ducks are higher up the food chain than guineas.

So? You both think ducks are tasty, so that negates any weight to the discussion which mighta swung your way.

Just don't get between me and my seals and nobody gets hurt.

MY seals. George says so.

 

[BullChick]

@casportpony
Hey thanks to all that commented about the loss of Kristy.
My vet did a basic necropsy for me. She said she had an egg with no shell loose in her abdomen and no other eggs. Also nothing else was obviously wrong.

I am sorry about Kristy too!

You'll get a finger in the ear.

 

[BantyChooks]

@casportpony
Hey thanks to all that commented about the loss of Kristy.
My vet did a basic necropsy for me. She said she had an egg with no shell loose in her abdomen and no other eggs. Also nothing else was obviously wrong.

 

[daxigait]

I am sorry about Kristy too!

Thanks. She was one of my green egg layers. Ameraucana over RIR and friendly, but an independent explorer when free ranging.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

@Sally Sunshine
Ok, yes that is the external I purchased. I am going through all the info I can and cut n paste what I think I need to refer back to.

The incubator came with the egg turner, fan and heating element.

I would be using my own flocks eggs. I am not going to wash them, I copied that info also. I see the part about making sure that the eggs are collected before they get too cold.

Boy am I making a Mountain out of the mole hill or what.... aye aye aye!

LMAO!!! yer funny!! dont forget Less than 10 days old are best too!!
I have not done the initial cleaning of the bator yet either. Can I use ACV? or is that not adequate. I don't use bleach in my house

but I have copied that post too for printing!
you will have to research that one, I am a bleach user.

This is the bator I bought:
Farm Innovators Model 4250 Digital Circulated Air Incubator with Automatic Egg Turner

by Farm Innovators
3.4 out of 5 stars 72 customer reviews

• Automatic egg turner turns the eggs completely every four hours to eliminate manual handling and improve hatch rate (41 egg capacity)
• An integrated fan pulls in and circulates fresh air to stabilize temperature and improve hatch
• An easy to read digital display shows temperature, humidity, and days to hatch (adjustable for a variety of eggs)
• High/low temperature notification light flashes when temperature is below 97°F or above 103°F
• Large picture window provides a 360° unobstructed view inside the incubator

The Farm Innovators Digital Circulated Air Incubator is easy to use and can accommodate up to 41 eggs. The Incutek heater warms to a factory pre-set temperature of 100° F within minutes. A digital display shows temperature, humidity, and days to hatch (days-to-hatch countdown timer is adjustable for a variety of eggs). The automatic egg turner turns the eggs completely every four hours to eliminate manual handling and improve hatch rate. The high/low temperature notification light flashes when temperature is below 97 degree Fahrenheit or above 103 degree Fahrenheit. A large picture window provides a 360° unobstructed view inside the incubator, great for educational observation. The deep bottom tray accommodates even large duck and goose eggs.

• Durable hard plastic outer shell protects incubator and is easy to clean.
• Helps hatch chicken, quail, duck, goose and other eggs.
• An integrated fan pulls in and circulates fresh air to stabilize temperature and improve hatch.
• Automatic egg turner turns the eggs completely every four hours.
• Great for hobbyists and for educational purposes.
• Made with recycled insulating polystyrene foam.
• 120 volts, 40 watts, 0.33 amps.

Will I still need stones or heat sinks added to my incubator even though it has an outer shell? Oh and can I add water through the vent holes instead of opening up the bator every time? I think that is one of the reasons my friend has such a low hatch rate. Although she has been incubating this year she said half of her eggs die before the end of the 2nd week and was amazed that almost all 19 of mine were still going at end of week 2. She had to pull 1 shortly after then on lockdown she recandled and had to pull 5 more. So we ended up with 13 good ones at lock down, only a couple were questionable. but out of those only 7 actually successfully hatched. But I noticed she would open the incubator to add water. She has the previous model to mine, although I got the newer one it was cheaper than the previous model.

I think because of this first experience of incubating with my friend, I am nervous because this is for my families food. We intend on eating most of what is hatched, unless they are bred for laying.

I would add the heat sinks yes, set as many eggs as you can, this will also help hold heat steady. Heat sinks are to help keep the temp WITHOUT FLUxuations, AND they can save your hatch should you loose electric, But ALWAYS have a back up plan besides!

Most people loose hatches, due to old eggs and stored improperly, Temps not calibrated and way too much flux in them, or they simply use too much humidity, most of us will set the first week no water unless it goes below 20% or air cells are large to begin with. and then we adjust water as necessary for weight loss. I open my incubators many times a day to turn without issues, NOT when in lockedown though, It holds enough water I dont have to open. there are tips and tricks in the notes for this.

Question, in reading about turning the eggs, if the automatic egg turner that came with my bator says it turns the eggs 6 times a day, and it is automatic, it is essentially turning the eggs in the same direction right? Also, when I set the eggs, do i place it with the "X" side up, slightly angled but with the large side at the top? Will the egg turner turn them to where I will see the "O"?

"Mark eggs, using a pencil, with an X on one side and an O on the other. Make sure to turn the eggs at least 3 times a day, or odd number of times. Turning by hand they should always be turned an odd amount of times and move them to a different part of the tray to protect them from temperature variation. You basically roll the eggs with your fingers/palm from X to O. It is important to NOT ROLL the eggs in the same direction every time. Improper rolling can cause the chalazae that holds the yolk in place to tear. Turning the egg prevents the embryo from touching and attaching to the membrane inside the egg. The most convenient way to turn eggs is to purchase an egg turner. Take extra precautions when turning eggs during the first week of incubation. The developing embryos have delicate blood vessels that rupture easily when severely jarred or shaken, thus killing the embryo. "
​

There is no need to mark eggs if you have an auto turner. just make sure its set to turn the most it can, not sure if thats an option but your good with a turner!!

I wish all these "NOTES" were just already in a format that I could just easily print out instead of cut n paste, I don't want to miss anything, also I think a lot of the things I did copy are out of order or not in place the right way. ERRG

can you explain more of how we can make it better? I tried to add them in order with incubation at the top, perhaps see the hatching 101 article? there are ifs ans or buts and we tried to cover as much as we could
Link to hatching 101below in my signature @FaerieChicken

I don't see an issue here

can i come get a puppy when there old enough

sure I can add you to the waiting list for next year, that will give you time to start saving all your cash!