First Time Hatching Anyone With Me??

[texaschickmom]

Quote:
Yes, you should not need sponges until lockdown. Your humidity during incubation sounds good. I tried to keep mine between 30 - 35%. At lockdown I shoot for 60-65%. I fill both channels and add a sponge IN CASE I have to add a little water to keep the humidity up. I have them placed right under a vent hole so I can just drip water onto them. You don't want to open your bator during the last few days. Hope this helps and good luck to you.

 

[fifelakelooper]

AllCoop'dUp :

Kathryn....I have used both the largest rubbermaid totes and heavyduty cardboard boxes. I put about 1/2 inch of construction sand in the bottom as opposed to paper towels, puppy pads or even shavings. Heck, I think some nice dry dirt would be good too, but this time of year, that would be hard to find. I don't think I'd use potting soil. I have a wooden framed piece of hardware cloth that I put over the tote and the brooder lamp on top of the wire. As the chicks get bigger and bigger, i just keep enlarging the brooder.

I read the same thing about the first day doesn't count. There's no humity control on the small Mini, just says to fill the reservoir up to a certain line and leave it for at least 3 days. So I put my eggs in lockdown on day 18. In the larger Octogon it says to bump the humity to 65, but I was so concerned about too high of a humity that I only bumped it to 56, then when I wasn't getting anything, I bumped it to 60 last night. This morning 4 of the 10 eggs had hatched and 1 had pipped. I am hoping that the humity wasn't too low. I candled the eggs before lockdown and all had solid development. I don't know how long to leave the questionable eggs in the incubator after I take the chicks out.

All coop'd up: I have been frantically reading...trying to figure out how to do this first time incubating...right. You have had some of my questions so I would like to know...
1. You had some questionable eggs....did they hatch or did you end up removing them?
2. Is lockdown on the 18th day...counting day #1 as the day you put them in incubator? OR do you start counting the day AFTER?
3. How many times did you end up candling?
4. The Brinsea says...put humidity at 65%...that was my plan since I have the Brinsea Octagon Advanced EX. Did you do that or keep it low? Where did you have the "vent" at? 50% >>more ? less?
Thanks...my 21 day is on March 31.

Ok....got my answer. If eggs are set early...then count as day 31....late is day #2.

 

[billrey]

First time hatching eggs for myself. I have a Hovabator 1602n with six buff goose eggs. I started on this past tuesday. My temperature was an even 100 degree and holding steady. My humidity is around 55%. All seemed to be going to plan until and read a post that the thermometer should be placed onto of the eggs not at the base. Upon moving the thermometer on top of the eggs my temperature jumped to 107 degrees. So, which is correct and have I killed this batch?

 

[destinydot6]

will do and thanks its 3 more days till lockdown on 1st batch i put in!

 

[latebloomer]

Quote:
you may be fine, try not to worry until you can candle and know for sure.

 

[billrey]

Thanks LateBloomer! I have adjusted the temperature setting a little so its not so warm on top of the eggs. I have reread the HovaBator manuel and sure enough the thermometer is to be placed on top of the eggs.

 

[Dialynn]

I've been thinking of getting an incubator, as a matter of fact just looked at the same model as OP today in a Tractor Supply store. Looked a little iffy to me especially since they didn't carry the fan. After reading through these post I'm thinking I'll keep the mixed batam hen a friend gave me last year to set my eggs. She is a wonderful substitute mama, the only problem is she turns the chicks into escape artist/alarms that are so flighty they even run and sound the alarm when I come in to feed them and think they need to roost in a tree, period. . Hmmmm....have to do some serious thinking.

 

[Kathryn4629]

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Well I seemed to have good luck with the LG, I did buy the turner though. This time around I am using a first time broody on 12 eggs and the incubator at the same time. Well I should say the broody started two days ago and my shipped eggs have yet to show up.

Gosh, is the hen a very flighty bird anyways? At least your chicks have some common sense to run/fly away from predators.

 

[destinydot6]

does anyone know what we are suppossed to do with the eggshell when the chicks dry off?

i heard they need it but wouldnt they get hurt from this?

 

[youngbiddy]

I tossed them out the back door for my adult chickens to eat. The chicks can't eat them, throw them out and give the chicks some Chick Starter crumbles.