Eggs started today (2362N W/ Turner)

[willow_lane]

At the advice of members of this forum, I ditched the chick-bator and purchased a Hova-Bator 2362n with 1610 auto turner. I set the bator up yesterday to get it stable for eggs. It was much easier than I thought it would be to get it to stay at a fairly consistent temp. Per the instructions I filled the center trough with warm water. I left it run yesterday and part of today to make sure it was a stable environment.

I put in the quail eggs today. So far everything seems to be going fine, the temp is staying between 99 and 100.5. I do not have a humidity gauge, so I am not sure of the humidity. I plan on picking up a humidity gauge on Sunday when I go to the store.

I was told that 4 days before the expected hatch day I should remove the eggs from the turner. Should I just unplug the turner and lift it out of the incubator, then gently place the eggs back into the incubator?

How often should I be adding more water to the center trough? Is it ok to open the bator and pour the water into the trough?

The kids are very excited at the prospect of having a few birds to raise.

 

[glewis121]

I am looking to buy that bator tooo! Will be watching this! Thanks!

 

[shelleyd2008]

It is perfectly fine to open the bator to add water. Too many people worry about that, and feed a tube in through one of the vent holes to add water.
When to add more water really depends on where you live, and the environment in your home. I haven't added water to my incubators in probably 2 weeks, but they are still holding about 35%-40%. I usually go by the reading on the hygrometer, if it gets below 35%, then I add water. If the water I add makes it go up to 60% for a few days, oh well.

I don't freak out about the humidity too much.

As for when you stop turning, you'll want to stop at least by the end of day 15, but a day early or late won't hurt them. You can either remove them from the turner or just unplug it and leave the eggs in it, either way would work.

Good luck on the hatch, and congrats on getting rid of that chick-bator!