Excited for first incubation!!

[johnj16]

Hi all,

I got into BYC this past summer. I can't believe what I have been missing all these years..CHICKENS RULE!! Anyway, I have a RIR rooster with two of my gorgeous RIR hens right now. He is doing his business and I will be taking the egg to the bater on March 1st. We are sooo excited!!

Anyway, I would like to tell y'all my plan and have you reply if you see anything that I am doing wrong. This is our first hatch so I want to learn as much as I can. THANKS!!

1- Collecting the fertile eggs from the two hens for the next few days. I am amazed that you can store them for a few days before you put them in the bater. I am hoping to put around a dozen in the bater.

2- I have a new Little Giant still air bater. My gut tells me to go buy the turner and the fan, however my wallet tells me to not. I am assuming that the fan makes a difference, but have any of you had terrible hatch rates with the still air. I am concerned about the humidity in the bater. Any advise on this issue is greatly appreciated!

3- My kids are excited to turn the eggs everyday. I really don't want to disappoint them with a failed hatch. I have heard some of you refer to "lockdown". I am guessing that this is the time, around day 18, that you stop turning the eggs. Is that right? Also, I know how to candle, but I am impressed that some of you can tell if a baby chick is doing well or has died when you candle them early in the hatching period. Any advise on what I can look for when I candle?

4- Assuming and hoping that we get some hatches, I have prepared an area for the baby chicks. How long do I leave them in the bater before I move them to the heated chick area?

I sure appreciate all the advise and stories on the forum. It is awesome to read all your success stories. I hope to have one soon as well!!

JJ

 

[gryeyes]

Oh, you are entering into the addictive incubation processes!

1- Collecting the fertile eggs from the two hens for the next few days - good plan!

2- I have never used a Little Giant, sorry.

3- Yup on Day 18 lockdown, no longer turning the eggs. That's when you raise the humidity, too. There is a "sticky" at the top of the Incubation and Hatching forum with all the photos for examples. VERY helpful.

4- They can stay in the incubator for UP TO 3 days maximum. (It's why baby chicks can be shipped; they are still living on the nutrition of the absorbed yolk.) It is best to leave them several hours, if not overnight. I do not remove chicks from the 'bator if there are any pipped or zipped eggs. So, as you get some hatchlings, watch for a period of time during which all the eggs that have NOT yet hatched still have solid, unbroken shells. Snatch those chicks out quickly, so as little humidity is lost as possible and the temp doesn't drop too much.

Good luck!!

 

[smchickfarm]

good luck!!!!

and yes IT IS ADDICTIVE!!!!!!!

 

[babylady4]

There is a link on here for a 'how to' guide to installing a PC fan for the bator. I did it and it works like a charm!

You really should see if you can get the turner, little dirty hands turning the eggs every day (introducing lots of bacteria) with the possibility of dropping one...... something I bet you would not want your kids to have to deal with-guilt!

Get yourself a combo thermometer/hygrometer (I found a good one at Wal-Mart) and keep it in the bator. I also put a straw in through the top holes to pour water into the chambers without having to open the bator up all the time. New sponges in the water reservoir's also helps keep the humidity up.

Good luck!

 

[nivtup]

Fire up that incubator while collecting the eggs. Work on getting it stabilized. The Lg are a bit finicky.

Good luck, I feel success is in your future.

 

[blefky]

Good luck to you and

 

[midget_farms]

Prepare the kids - consider only half of the eggs will hatch - then be plesantly surprised when more do. But just make sure everyone is prepared that half wont.

You can safely hold eggs at room temp for 7 days while you collect them.

The fan is a good investment - it helps keep the temps inside the same in all locations - no cold spots & no hot spots.

You dont need the turner for this batch - save up for later this year - just DONT OPEN the incubator after the first chick pips its egg. The egg membrane will dry out too fast & kill the chick. Don't ask how I know this.

 

[sheila3935]

I agree while collecting the eggs get your LG going. They take a bit to regulate. As for humidity put a sponge or wet paper towel in to raise the humidity during lockdown. Make sure you are turning your eggs while waiting to set. How I do that is put them in an egg carton and shift from sdie to side at least 2x a day.I usually leave my chicks in the bator til they are dried and fluffed. I have a forced air LG with turner. If you need anything else you can PM me.