Everything I should know about incubating chicks

[ashlandco]

I’m a complete newbie to this. So any advice with what incubator to buy? What breeds to hatch? Where to buy them? And pretty much everything thanks in advance!!!(sorry for all the questions)

 

[abraga]

There are several sections on this site about incubation. Incubators: depends on how much incubation you intend on doing. I do a lot, so I have an RCOM MAX20.. awesome incubator>300/400$. If you are going to use one on occasion, i highly recommend a Genisis hovabator..i think mine was about $130. These two are decent at proper temp/humidity control. As for chickens...what are you wanting? Meat, eggs? Colored eggs?Temperment..pets...large..small? Go online and put ur search criteria in. I have orpingtons and rhode island reds for eggs. I raise large brahmas to, but they grow slow and don't lay as many eggs but are gentle giants. So..taje inti consideration what you need, eggs..egg color ..temperment. meat..weather conditions...size..etc.

 

[ashlandco]

There are several sections on this site about incubation. Incubators: depends on how much incubation you intend on doing. I do a lot, so I have an RCOM MAX20.. awesome incubator>300/400$. If you are going to use one on occasion, i highly recommend a Genisis hovabator..i think mine was about $130. These two are decent at proper temp/humidity control. As for chickens...what are you wanting? Meat, eggs? Colored eggs?Temperment..pets...large..small? Go online and put ur search criteria in. I have orpingtons and rhode island reds for eggs. I raise large brahmas to, but they grow slow and don't lay as many eggs but are gentle giants. So..taje inti consideration what you need, eggs..egg color ..temperment. meat..weather conditions...size..etc.

Thanks! For breeds, I think silkies and Orpingtons, but I read something not to incubate different size eggs together?

 

[oregonkat]

Thanks! For breeds, I think silkies and Orpingtons, but I read something not to incubate different size eggs together?

As you are brand new to incubating, there are several things that are very important to keep in mind. Make sure you have an independently calibrated (by you) hygrometer and thermometer, it is essential to your peace of mind to know that the instruments you are trusting your precious eggs to are telling you the truth. Incubator instruments are notoriously wrong, dont trust them alone.

Read the educational incubating threads on here. There are several and they are all great.

Start off your incubating adventure with cheap, preferably local eggs. I cant tell you, or I am ashamed to tell you, the amounts of money that I have sunk into fancy eggs, mostly shipped, that have ended up costing me a lot both emotionally and financially because this whole process of incubating has a learning curve to it. You will come across endless posts on BYC about failed hatches due to wrong humidity, temperature, early uneducated intervention etc. etc. It is excellent that you have started this adventure off gathering information BEFORE embarking on your first go round. I applaud you, I wish I had done the same thing.

Lastly, enjoy the heck out of it. There are few things that I enjoy more than a successful hatch and the rewards of spending time with my babies. I love it, as does pretty much everyone else here, I believe.

 

[abraga]

Orpingtons are awesome. Hardy..sweet and great layers and a good all around chicken. I incubate tiny serama eggs with my larger eggs. I don't see why you couldn't incubate silkie and orpington eggs together. Where I live in rural Virginia. Craigslist is a good place to find chickens/eggs. Some tractor supply stores have chicken swaps. I have hatched a lot of shipped eggs..however..there is always more risk..its hard on eggs..so if you can locate a breeder near bye...you'd have more success.

 

[ashlandco]

As you are brand new to incubating, there are several things that are very important to keep in mind. Make sure you have an independently calibrated (by you) hygrometer and thermometer, it is essential to your peace of mind to know that the instruments you are trusting your precious eggs to are telling you the truth. Incubator instruments are notoriously wrong, dont trust them alone.

Read the educational incubating threads on here. There are several and they are all great.

Start off your incubating adventure with cheap, preferably local eggs. I cant tell you, or I am ashamed to tell you, the amounts of money that I have sunk into fancy eggs, mostly shipped, that have ended up costing me a lot both emotionally and financially because this whole process of incubating has a learning curve to it. You will come across endless posts on BYC about failed hatches due to wrong humidity, temperature, early uneducated intervention etc. etc. It is excellent that you have started this adventure off gathering information BEFORE embarking on your first go round. I applaud you, I wish I had done the same thing.

Lastly, enjoy the heck out of it. There are few things that I enjoy more than a successful hatch and the rewards of spending time with my babies. I love it, as does pretty much everyone else here, I believe.

That was very helpful! Thank you!

 

[ashlandco]

If I can’t find a local breeder, would it be ok to buy eggs online?

 

[oregonkat]

If I can’t find a local breeder, would it be ok to buy eggs online?

Is it OK? Sure. Just be fully aware that shipped eggs can have a less than 50% hatch rate and they require special handling. That being said, if you do your homework as you are doing, and make sure that your bator is set up properly with independent and calibrated instruments, you have just as good a shot at a 'reasonable' hatch as anyone else. I strongly recommend that you run your incubator for several days empty so that you can tweak it to where you want it.

This is all IMHO, of course, but I would invest in a forced air incubator with a turner that holds the eggs upright. This is important for shipped eggs especially because, as you will find out, they can arrive to you with detached and slippery air cells that benefit from being incubated upright. Hold the eggs out of the incubator for at least 24 hours, fat end up, and resting cool and quiet to settle everything down.

This incubation thing is can be heartbreaking, frustrating and downright depressing. It also can and will be exhilarating, delightful and very, very rewarding. Just get your 'ducks' in a row before beginning and don't panic. Reach out if you get into trouble, there are lots and lots of folks here who are very experienced and always happy to help.

Try local first. Even if they dont have the breed that you absolutely 'love', just to get your feet wet. You can always sell the chicks if you dont want them but at least you haven't invested too deeply the first time around.

Oh, and BTW, you will become addicted, so just be aware

 

[aart]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-beginners-guide-to-incubation.73350/

 

[ashlandco]

Is it OK? Sure. Just be fully aware that shipped eggs can have a less than 50% hatch rate and they require special handling. That being said, if you do your homework as you are doing, and make sure that your bator is set up properly with independent and calibrated instruments, you have just as good a shot at a 'reasonable' hatch as anyone else. I strongly recommend that you run your incubator for several days empty so that you can tweak it to where you want it.

This is all IMHO, of course, but I would invest in a forced air incubator with a turner that holds the eggs upright. This is important for shipped eggs especially because, as you will find out, they can arrive to you with detached and slippery air cells that benefit from being incubated upright. Hold the eggs out of the incubator for at least 24 hours, fat end up, and resting cool and quiet to settle everything down.

This incubation thing is can be heartbreaking, frustrating and downright depressing. It also can and will be exhilarating, delightful and very, very rewarding. Just get your 'ducks' in a row before beginning and don't panic. Reach out if you get into trouble, there are lots and lots of folks here who are very experienced and always happy to help.

Try local first. Even if they dont have the breed that you absolutely 'love', just to get your feet wet. You can always sell the chicks if you dont want them but at least you haven't invested too deeply the first time around.

Oh, and BTW, you will become addicted, so just be aware

Ok good to know thank you for all your help!