End of Incubation Season To-Do's

[RossAcres]

As the hatching season comes to an end for most of us, there are some things I like to do to ensure easy startup for next season.

1. Clean ALL the parts and pieces of the incubators.
I used two incubators this Spring. A Hatching Time CT60 and a NutureRight360. I start by completely disassembling each incubator. For the CT60, this means removing the water resevoir, tubing, trays, turners, etc. I soak all trays in soapy water to loosen any debris. I then scrub them and let them dry. After the trays have dried, I spray them with a sanitizing spray. For the water resevoirs and tubing, I scrub them with hot soapy water and let them dry. This gets rid of any hard water stains and possible bacterial growth from sitting water.

2. Clean the inside of the incubators
One thing I love about the CT60 (or any HatchingTime incubator) is how easy it is to wipe down the inside surfaces. I can open the front and rear door to make wiping down super easy. I first take a tiny hand vacuum to get all those tiny egg shell pieces. I also spray canned air into the fan and intake to get all of the dust out. I then scrub the walls and floor with soapy water. After cleaning every surface, I dry and disinfect the entire interior.

3. Make sure all electronics are working
After the incubator is completely cleaned, I reassemble the parts. Now is a good time to make sure all electronic components are working properly. Checking electronics now ensures you do not have to rush to fix something when you want to start hatching in the Spring. Make sure everything works, then store your incubator in a dust-free space.

 

[Debbie292d]

Between hatches, I spray Odoban, which is safe but kills just about everything known to man, including Marek's disease, in 60 seconds. I don't have diseases, but I don't want any either, so that's used in the brooders as well. As those get shut down, I clean all the pellets out, vacuum, and spray Odoban and let it sit.

Good advice though for those shutting down. I will be after this next hatch. I said that once already this year, so we'll see.

 

[The Moonshiner]

which is safe but kills just about everything known to man

How can this be both?

 

[Debbie292d]

How can this be both?

I should have clarified. It kills just about every germ and disease known to man.

 

[RossAcres]

Between hatches, I spray Odoban, which is safe but kills just about everything known to man, including Marek's disease, in 60 seconds. I don't have diseases, but I don't want any either, so that's used in the brooders as well. As those get shut down, I clean all the pellets out, vacuum, and spray Odoban and let it sit.

Good advice though for those shutting down. I will be after this next hatch. I said that once already this year, so we'll see.

I see that you mentioned pellets. What are the pellets for? Are you using them in your incubator?\
I'm trying to shut down but my ducks keep laying and I need more babies

 

[Finnie]

Wait. Hatching season ends?

 

[The Moonshiner]

I see that you mentioned pellets. What are the pellets for? Are you using them in your incubator?\
I'm trying to shut down but my ducks keep laying and I need more babies

Pellet bedding in brooders is how I read.it.

 

[Kiki]

Between hatches, I spray Odoban, which is safe but kills just about everything known to man, including Marek's disease, in 60 seconds. I don't have diseases, but I don't want any either, so that's used in the brooders as well. As those get shut down, I clean all the pellets out, vacuum, and spray Odoban and let it sit.

Good advice though for those shutting down. I will be after this next hatch. I said that once already this year, so we'll see.

Where are you finding that Odoban kills marek's disease?

I know Virkon kills it but have never heard that Odoban does.
https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/039967-00137-20220308.pdf





https://odoban.com/what-is-odoban/

• OdoBan® is effective against the following animal and pet viruses: Avian Influenza virus, Avian Infectious Bronchitis virus, Pseudorabies virus, Canine Distemper virus, Newcastle’s Disease virus, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR), Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Rabies and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). (Not for use in California.)

 

[Debbie292d]

Where are you finding that Odoban kills marek's disease?

I know Virkon kills it but have never heard that Odoban does.
https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/039967-00137-20220308.pdf





https://odoban.com/what-is-odoban/

• OdoBan® is effective against the following animal and pet viruses: Avian Influenza virus, Avian Infectious Bronchitis virus, Pseudorabies virus, Canine Distemper virus, Newcastle’s Disease virus, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR), Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Rabies and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). (Not for use in California.)

You've got the "animal and pet viruses" section.

Marek's Disease Virus (MDV) is classified as a Herpes virus 2 (Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2) (GaHV-2).

What is OdoBan®?​

• A Deodorizer… eliminates unpleasant odors on washable surfaces such as upholstery, carpets, bedding, showers, walls and floors while leaving a fresh scent.
• A Sanitizer… †kills 99.99% of Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep), Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (E. coli) (pathogenic strain), Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) and Klebsiella pneumoniae in 60 seconds on hard, nonporous, surfaces.
• A Disinfectant… ‡fungicidal against Trichophyton interdigitale (the athlete’s foot fungus) when used on surfaces in areas such as locker rooms, dressing rooms, shower and bath areas and exercise facilities in 10 minutes on hard, nonporous, surfaces and ‡kills Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep), Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VREF), Escherichia coli (E. coli) 0157:H7 Listeria monocytogenes, Serratia marcescens, Aspergillus niger, Legionella pneumophila in 10 minutes on hard nonporous surfaces.
• A Mildewstat… effectively controls and inhibits the growth of mold and mildew.
• A Virucide*… *kills Human Coronavirus, HIV-1 (AIDS Virus), Influenza A H3N2 and Herpes Simplex Type 2 in 60 seconds on hard, nonporous, surfaces.

 

[Debbie292d]

I see that you mentioned pellets. What are the pellets for? Are you using them in your incubator?\
I'm trying to shut down but my ducks keep laying and I need more babies

We use horse bedding pellets in our coop and change those every spring. We do no maintenance as the chickens scratch them around. Those dry up the poops and by spring, it's pulverized chicken poop and saw dust mostly. We spread that around trees, some in the garden, in our mulch bins, etc. That we've been doing for about eight years.

This spring, we started using them in our brooder pens. Here, I have to stir them every few days, as those little feet don't.

Do they eat them? No more than they eat wood chips from the pine shavings. These are 100% compressed pine. I think all chickens and chicks try it once, then find out it's bleh.