First time at incubating....what temperature

[007Dawn]

Hello everyone!

We recieved some eggs today that we want to hatch. We have a small incubator but the directions are not with the equpiment and I need to know what do I need to know?

Can anyone help?

Temperature for the incubator, best place to set it up, how long before hatching? All that good stuff.

Eggs are most likely a week old or so but we are not for sure!

Thank you!

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

What kind and brand of incubator do you have? The same thing happened to me and my first hatch was not too great; we just followed the advice of the person who gave it to us and they had gotten it from someone else!

Ours is the Hovabator #1602 and they sell the same models here at our local farmers co-op so I told them my dilemma and they were kind enough to make a copy of the instructions for me!

However, I will also say that after the first hatch that I have been following to the letter the Dry Incubating Method found here on BYC in the Learning Center and we have had much more success with our hatch rates. I am currently overrun with 100 + chicks as proof!

 

[007Dawn]

I'm not sure about the incubator no box, no directions. It looks like styopham.

But is there a way to get my present hens to sit on the eggs? And how do we know if they are even fertile? Or even how old are they?

Any ideas?

Thank you.

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

Quote:

It's hard to get a hen to set if she isn't ready to set...how many eggs are in the nest right now? I have several hens that will not set until they get about 12 or so eggs laid. The bantams can cover even less...
If you have the standard styrofoam incubator and it is still air (no fan) I suggest you follow to the letter the instructions regarding the Dry Incubating Method article that I mentioned is found here in the Learning Center. It tells you everything you need to know about the temperature, humidity, etc.

I found that it helped me to get a candler to determine if eggs were fertile or not. With practice, you can use the candler to help you determine about how old the fertile egg is by judging the progess of the baby chick inside the egg! I got my candler at my local farmers' co-op for $14.95 and it is worth the money.

 

[007Dawn]

There are about ten eggs. Is there a way to see if they are even still living?

My one girl looked surprised to see them and looked around and then ran off. LOL but she won't sit on them. I thought she might but so far no luck.

They are warm and the temperature in the nesting box we have is about 97 degrees F. But we have no idea if they were even alive when they were given to us.

I turned them over this morning, my husband says that is neccesary?

I'm just not sure how to care for an Egg!

The incubator appears to not be working! Oh the stress that comes with a chicken! But how can you not love them?

 

[Sillystunt]

I have my bator in a bathroom that's gutted. I have the a/c vent closed and window open. I have temp at 99-100 and humidity at 33-36%. I am dry incubating just using the humidity in the air( i live in Florida), lock down i will add some water to get 50-60% humidity. That's the 18th day and for 3 days no turning and DONT open the bator. Your supposed to turn 3-4 times a day. mark x on one side and O on the other. that way you know what side is what.

This is my first hatch, i read ALOT of different techniques and opted for this type. Mine is styrofoam as well, stiil air and no turner.

best of luck~

 

[Sillystunt]

Quote:
make sure it's put together right. I can take a pic of mine if you need it. Also the handle on top that moves(metal thing looks like allen wrench) controlls the heat. You might have to turn it to get the heat up~ Can you post pic's

 

[007Dawn]

Yes I will do my best to post the pictures.....I struggle with that sometimes...I would say it is my blonde hair but I'm sure there are other blondes on here. lol

Be back in a few.