Feeling Concerned

[thudson]

I have been buying my chicks all my life from a feed store. Recently I decided to buy an incubator because actually hatching some is something I always wanted to see and do. Without thinking really about it, I purchased a mini 7 egg incubator, It has not arrived yet. But the last few days I been reading up on incubating eggs and I am not sure this thing is even going to work. Has anybody had any success with it or did I just waste money on it. I was only planning to try 4 eggs in it.Is there any chance of hatching any? Plus it don't turn the eggs so how often do I need to turn the eggs? Turning the eggs mean side to side or end to end of what? I have never hatched eggs under a hen either. I have had zero success in that department too, after 2 attempts. Any advice or help is appreciated.

 

[SA&P]

I have been buying my chicks all my life from a feed store. Recently I decided to buy an incubator because actually hatching some is something I always wanted to see and do. Without thinking really about it, I purchased a mini 7 egg incubator, It has not arrived yet. But the last few days I been reading up on incubating eggs and I am not sure this thing is even going to work. Has anybody had any success with it or did I just waste money on it. I was only planning to try 4 eggs in it.Is there any chance of hatching any? Plus it don't turn the eggs so how often do I need to turn the eggs? Turning the eggs mean side to side or end to end of what? I have never hatched eggs under a hen either. I have had zero success in that department too, after 2 attempts. Any advice or help is appreciated.

We bought the 12 egg incubator from Brinsea. It had an automatic turner which we switched off a few days before they were born. The instructions were very good we thought. We put 11 eggs in and had 7 hatch. We marked them in pencil. The marking proved useful.
We did read the instructions carefully as we are complete beginners and so felt like rather anxious new mums

Newly hatched chicks were in it for about 6 - 12 hours, until they were dry and fluffy, then I transferred them to the brooder. They were born on the 28th and 29th June last year.
Don’t forget to keep it topped up with water in the channel.
Hope this helps.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Check this thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...gs-important-topic-index-please-review.48726/

Yes, you CAN hatch eggs. Which incubator did you get?

 

[AmazingRachel]

I would suggest getting a larger incubator, Hovabators are good and relatively inexpensive. The reason being that you don't want to count your chicks before they hatch. A 70% hatch rate is considered pretty good.
You need to turn the eggs 3-5 times a day. It's important that it is an odd number. You turn them side to side/roll them. Most people put Xs on one side to keep track.
Contact your county's Cooperative Extension for more info.

 

[thudson]

Check this thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...gs-important-topic-index-please-review.48726/

Yes, you CAN hatch eggs. Which incubator did you get?

Check this thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...gs-important-topic-index-please-review.48726/

Yes, you CAN hatch eggs. Which incubator did you get?

The incubator I got is the Mini 7 egg incubator.or at least I believe that is what it is called. I am still waiting on delivery.

 

[thudson]

I would suggest getting a larger incubator, Hovabators are good and relatively inexpensive. The reason being that you don't want to count your chicks before they hatch. A 70% hatch rate is considered pretty good.
You need to turn the eggs 3-5 times a day. It's important that it is an odd number. You turn them side to side/roll them. Most people put Xs on one side to keep track.
Contact your county's Cooperative Extension for more info.

Will 3 times a day be good enough due to my work hours?

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Turning 3 times a day is the minimum guide so, yes, you can turn them 3 times a day.

 

[AmazingRachel]

Will 3 times a day be good enough due to my work hours?

Yes, that's fine. Just make sure they are evenly spaced. Like one in the morning, one at noon (or like 3pm), and then one at night.
You could also buy an egg turner.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I had the same incubator as you have ordered it is a great new to starter almost
wish I still had mine

 

[thudson]

I had the same incubator as you have ordered it is a great new to starter almost
wish I still had mine

Thanks that makes me feel a little better. So you did hatch some eggs in this incubator?