First Incubator - Maticoopx30 - Practice?

[newchickychick]

Hello all! I decided to splurge and got us the Maticoopx30. It's my first ever incubator! I've been eyes deep in research the past few days, and intend to continue through it deeply the next few months. We don't PLAN to incubate any eggs over the next while, as I want to be sure I've properly researched everything I can (how and when to assist hatches, HOW to assist hatches if it is necessary, ways to help humidity, how to properly judge development by candling, how to let shipped eggs settle for proper incubation, etc.).
The main part of my research so far has been the humidity and temperatures between days 1-17 and lockdown for 18-21, knowing to not open the incubator unless for emergency during lockdown, to leave chicks in the incubator post-hatch to let the others hatch since they can survive 2-3 days just fine off their yolks, to let shipped eggs settle at room temperature with pointy end down for at least 24-48 hours prior to setting them in the incubator, to try to avoid staggered hatches if at all possible as it can be difficult to manage/maintain, and so on and so forth. (Correct me if I'm wrong on any of this too!) I'm still wanting to be sure I know how to fix dethatched air cells properly as well, and I've got some videos saved to watch for deeper research.

However, I'm curious to know how y'all started getting ready for your first ever hatch? Did you just go for it when you got an incubator and just adjust/experiment as it went on? Did you run it for a few months without eggs to watch how the humidity/temperature worked (our current intention!)? Did you test run it once and then dive in? Did you start with really "cheap" eggs (if bought)/gathered eggs? Or did you dive in on a splurge-y breed of eggs? Did you opt for gathered eggs or shipped for your first hatch?

I'm always open for any/all advice. This is a "for future thought" sort of thread, but I'd like to be as best prepared as possible for eventually planning our first ever hatch! We want to be sure we're prepared and handle it responsibly. We know accidents can happen, but we want to be sure we've done everything in our power to be knowledgeable and not cause any undue damage or stress when the day comes that we do our first hatch. We figured shipped eggs may be one of the most reliable ways for us to find a couple of certain breeds we're curious about for next year. But would a shipped egg hatch too much to handle for a first hatch? Is a handful of months' time even enough to really prepare for our first hatch, or should we be set to at least a year before actually following through with our first hatch?

Thanks ahead of time for your experiences and advice!

 

[Tex452]

I watched a lot of YouTube videos and decided in NR 360, I also decided to dry hatch, after watching multiple videos about it.
I have had good luck until the last hatch where my turn table cracked where it goes over the shaft and the eggs weren’t getting turned, I have a new one ordered.

 

[newchickychick]

I watched a lot of YouTube videos and decided in NR 360, I also decided to dry hatch, after watching multiple videos about it.
I have had good luck until the last hatch where my turn table cracked where it goes over the shaft and the eggs weren’t getting turned, I have a new one ordered.

Oh how awful about the table! Thank goodness you're able to get a new one. I've heard a lot about dry hatching but haven't really researched that yet. Definitely something I'll be sure to add to my research log!

 

[Tex452]

Oh how awful about the table! Thank goodness you're able to get a new one. I've heard a lot about dry hatching but haven't really researched that yet. Definitely something I'll be sure to add to my research log!

It’s been working well for me, and clean up is easy, no nasty, smelly water.

 

[AshVau22]

I started with Nurture Right 360. Did lots of research. But really you just kinda gotta jump into it. I have found that running a new incubator 2 days before added eggs is reasonable amount of time. Always good to have another thermometer in the incubator. It is addicting hatching eggs lol

 

[newchickychick]

I started with Nurture Right 360. Did lots of research. But really you just kinda gotta jump into it. I have found that running a new incubator 2 days before added eggs is reasonable amount of time. Always good to have another thermometer in the incubator. It is addicting hatching eggs lol

Wow, I would've thought a full hatch cycle was necessary! It's cool to know you can tell pretty early in.

I have a feeling I'll definitely become big on hatching. But it'll be QUITE some time before we have our own fertilized eggs, so I was eyeing some hatching eggs, but wasn't sure if shipped for a first hatch was a horrible idea or not.

I did order an additional "Incubator Warehouse IncuTherm™ Plus Digital Thermometer and Hygrometer for Egg Incubator"! I wasn't sure if a two-in-one would be a great idea or a terrible one, but I figured if it wasn't a good idea I could return it and go for a separate one. I know the Maticoop comes with both built in, but I was definitely thinking two of each would be safest just to make sure the sensors were really right.

 

[Debbie292d]

Wow, I would've thought a full hatch cycle was necessary! It's cool to know you can tell pretty early in.

I have a feeling I'll definitely become big on hatching. But it'll be QUITE some time before we have our own fertilized eggs, so I was eyeing some hatching eggs, but wasn't sure if shipped for a first hatch was a horrible idea or not.

I did order an additional "Incubator Warehouse IncuTherm™ Plus Digital Thermometer and Hygrometer for Egg Incubator"! I wasn't sure if a two-in-one would be a great idea or a terrible one, but I figured if it wasn't a good idea I could return it and go for a separate one. I know the Maticoop comes with both built in, but I was definitely thinking two of each would be safest just to make sure the sensors were really right.

A thermometer/hygrometer combo is actually the best idea as space inside an incubator is sometimes limited. I usually stick with the Govee brand, but there was no room for any of them when the incubator is full, so I found some skinny ones on eBay that work great.

Shipped eggs: First rule, are they verified? There are a lot of horror stories about people buying eggs that don't hatch. Make sure if it's eBay, read the comments. If it's a website, is there a place for reviews or comments? Usually, those that are breeders aren't about to ruin their reputation and send old or unfertilized eggs. They want the word to spread that they've got great eggs.

Secondly: USPS shipping this year has been horrible on hatching eggs. I'm not alone in saying that. Years before I could get 70% +, and this year, maybe 30% success. It's been disheartening, but as long as you realize that, and are prepared to accept the losses, go for it!

When the eggs arrive, sit the box on a quilt, open it, and one at a time, remove an egg. Have an egg carton on standby. Very gently, clear the egg of whatever it was packed in and put it in the egg carton. Remember, they just got tossed around like a football, they need the least amt of moving now. When all eggs are in the carton(s), ensure they are pointy side down. Set them at room temperature to rest for 24 hours. Meanwhile, make sure your incubator is running.

I set mine to:

99.5°F and 45% humidity.

The next day, put them in the incubator, but turn the turner off. You'll leave the turner off for three days. (Some say 5, some say 1, I split the difference with 3.) Just make a note to turn the turner back on. I forgot once until a week had gone by. It was okay, though.

Day 7: Candle the eggs. You'll probably remove a few at this point that look clear. The others you should see a blob and some veins, and maybe even a little movement.

I don't candle anymore until lockdown, but if you want to see how they're doing, around Day 12 would be a good day.

Day 18: Candle the eggs. If any are saddled (many shipped eggs get this way and the chick may pip on the side, or might even need help) I put an X on those so I watch them closer. Turn the turner off. Raise the humidity to 65-70%.

Once they start pipping, go watch a movie or do something. You won't be opening that incubator for probably another entire day.

Chicks can live for 72 hours in an incubator without food or water, so even if you have some very vocal and rambunctious chicks in there, they can wait for the others to hatch.

Prepare your brooder and make sure the floor where they'll be is at 95°F. If your waterer for them is too deep, put rocks or marbles in it for the first couple of days so they don't drown. Sprinkle chick crumbles on the paper towel or puppy pad. When you put them in there, they'll start pecking at that right away.

 

[AshVau22]

Wow, I would've thought a full hatch cycle was necessary! It's cool to know you can tell pretty early in.

I have a feeling I'll definitely become big on hatching. But it'll be QUITE some time before we have our own fertilized eggs, so I was eyeing some hatching eggs, but wasn't sure if shipped for a first hatch was a horrible idea or not.

I did order an additional "Incubator Warehouse IncuTherm™ Plus Digital Thermometer and Hygrometer for Egg Incubator"! I wasn't sure if a two-in-one would be a great idea or a terrible one, but I figured if it wasn't a good idea I could return it and go for a separate one. I know the Maticoop comes with both built in, but I was definitely thinking two of each would be safest just to make sure the sensors were really right.

My 1st time incubating was eBay eggs Salmon Faverolles. Was a 6/6 hatch. Finding a good seller with good reviews is best. I hatch more shipped eggs than my own. All my incubators have been running none stop since January. With friends and family wanting chicks and I sell at my local small animal auction. I really like the Govee https://a.co/d/itC3PkV

 

[newchickychick]

A thermometer/hygrometer combo is actually the best idea as space inside an incubator is sometimes limited. I usually stick with the Govee brand, but there was no room for any of them when the incubator is full, so I found some skinny ones on eBay that work great.

Shipped eggs: First rule, are they verified? There are a lot of horror stories about people buying eggs that don't hatch. Make sure if it's eBay, read the comments. If it's a website, is there a place for reviews or comments? Usually, those that are breeders aren't about to ruin their reputation and send old or unfertilized eggs. They want the word to spread that they've got great eggs.

Secondly: USPS shipping this year has been horrible on hatching eggs. I'm not alone in saying that. Years before I could get 70% +, and this year, maybe 30% success. It's been disheartening, but as long as you realize that, and are prepared to accept the losses, go for it!

When the eggs arrive, sit the box on a quilt, open it, and one at a time, remove an egg. Have an egg carton on standby. Very gently, clear the egg of whatever it was packed in and put it in the egg carton. Remember, they just got tossed around like a football, they need the least amt of moving now. When all eggs are in the carton(s), ensure they are pointy side down. Set them at room temperature to rest for 24 hours. Meanwhile, make sure your incubator is running.

I set mine to:

99.5°F and 45% humidity.

The next day, put them in the incubator, but turn the turner off. You'll leave the turner off for three days. (Some say 5, some say 1, I split the difference with 3.) Just make a note to turn the turner back on. I forgot once until a week had gone by. It was okay, though.

Day 7: Candle the eggs. You'll probably remove a few at this point that look clear. The others you should see a blob and some veins, and maybe even a little movement.

I don't candle anymore until lockdown, but if you want to see how they're doing, around Day 12 would be a good day.

Day 18: Candle the eggs. If any are saddled (many shipped eggs get this way and the chick may pip on the side, or might even need help) I put an X on those so I watch them closer. Turn the turner off. Raise the humidity to 65-70%.

Once they start pipping, go watch a movie or do something. You won't be opening that incubator for probably another entire day.

Chicks can live for 72 hours in an incubator without food or water, so even if you have some very vocal and rambunctious chicks in there, they can wait for the others to hatch.

Prepare your brooder and make sure the floor where they'll be is at 95°F. If your waterer for them is too deep, put rocks or marbles in it for the first couple of days so they don't drown. Sprinkle chick crumbles on the paper towel or puppy pad. When you put them in there, they'll start pecking at that right away.

Thankfully we’ve had really good luck with our brooder setup so far! I do need to get some really good marbles though!

The tips for finding egg sellers really help! I was anxious about wondering how to avoid anything sketchy. Especially with websites! I have honestly never used Ebay but I made an account to peruse sellers and favorite any that had a lot of good reviews.

I have heard hatching rates for shipped eggs are super low. I’m definitely prepared for some “lost cost” for it, for the experience and hopefully getting breeds we are wanting to try out. Would it be pretty easy for a newbie to tell if an air cell is detached? What’s the best thing to do if you have, say, 2 detached and the rest have reattached? Hand turn the ones that are attached and mark the ones detached to check back daily? Or do you wait longer between candling to see if they’ve settled back?

Thanks so much for this detailed advice!

 

[newchickychick]

My 1st time incubating was eBay eggs Salmon Faverolles. Was a 6/6 hatch. Finding a good seller with good reviews is best. I hatch more shipped eggs than my own. All my incubators have been running none stop since January. With friends and family wanting chicks and I sell at my local small animal auction. I really like the Govee https://a.co/d/itC3PkV

I was so nervous about giving shipped eggs a go as my first hatch, but even with my expecting low hatching rates it sounds like it’s not a bad way to go! Is there a certain threshold you look for with reviews, such as % rating or minimum number of reviews if the feedback is really high? Thanks for the advice! I’ve heard good things about the Maticoopx so that was my first choice, but if I end up really enjoying hatching eggs, I would really love to try different incubator brands.