First Time hatching eggs in incubator -Tx 6 brand

[Red Squirrel]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first time hatching out eggs in an incubator. I am excited but nervous.

Want to do the best I can for them. I bought a TX 6 with no turner. I fired it up and it works great-Temps staying at 99.5 and humidity correct. Now I am waiting on my shipped eggs. How long do I let the eggs sit before I place them in the incubator? Has anyone else used one of these incubators before? - any special advise would be so greatly appreciated from you fine chicken people.

 

[LittleLaneFarm]

Exciting!! I'm going to be shopping for an incubator soon, out of two hatches with 17+ eggs each I have only had 3 chicks and really want to build up my flock. Fingerscrossed for you!!

 

[chickinthebator]

Hi there. Great to see you so excited - from what you have described we have fairly similar incubators and they are excellent at maintaining conditions! I would let the eggs rest for a day at minimum and two days at max to get them settled before you start your adventure. Best tip is to not take the lid off to often and remove any infectious eggs - and buy a torch so that you can candle! Best of luck!!

 

[Red Squirrel]

Ok, so I will be manually turning them from the outside-as it has the handle and turning ring for chickens in it. I got it for $15 off Craigslist - guess it was from a school. My eggs should come on Sat. I have read and re-read everything i can get on the incubator process and a few things vary with who you look up. When should I do my first candling? I will make a homemade candler. Also-as i do not have the plug in turner for this incubator, should I plug up the outlet holes for the turner? Appreciate all your help here

 

[Red Squirrel]

Also I am hatching out EE bantam eggs-is there anything different about Bantam eggs from the standard size egg?

 

[chickinthebator]

First of all, I don't think the difference of size in egg will be a problem, even if the sizes are varied. For me, I enjoy candling and checking up on the eggs, but I also know its key for humidity levels and temperature to space these candlings out correctly.
I would candle first on day 4, day 7, day 13 and day 18 before "lock down" when you leave everything and hope for the best!!!

Many apologies but I am unsure on the turner, my incubator automatically turns it many times a day and I also turn them myself at least once a day to really be effective. But make sure you turn them an ODD number of times per day so that they are on a different side at night

Hope I have helped!
H.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Ok, thanks for the advise. How long do you let shipped eggs rest before setting them in the incubator?

So many different opinions on that one lol

 

[chickinthebator]

Up to 14 days -
But if your keen to get going anywhere after 1 day is fine and 2-3 days is ideal!

 

[Red Squirrel]

They came one day early

My incubator is staying steady at 99.5-100 degrees. Humidity is about 52% with reptile reader and about 86-88 on wet bulb of incubator. When I messed to much with the water in bottom everything was going way off. Will leave it alone now. Does that sound ok-it is staying steady there-yikes I am so nervous. The eggs all arrived safe and sound-excellently wrapped-pointy end down in egg carton and wrapped. No breaks or cracks.

 

[chickinthebator]

All sounds excellent - I would put them in on Sunday if I was you! And keep us posted - cant wait to see how your adventure goes! I'm on day 16 myself right now