Dh and I are trying our hand at incubating chicken eggs for the first time. We have an old still air incubator that is very reliable as far as temps and keeping the humidity stable.
We have been incubating duck eggs and had our first duckling arrive last week! It was so exciting that we (stupidly) ordered some black Langshan eggs (24) because we wanted to try chicken eggs.
I say, stupidly, because we also ordered another incubator that is taking its sweet time about getting here. If we were smart we would have made sure the incubator was here and stable BEFORE we ordered the eggs!
We have room to put the chicken eggs in with the duck eggs, until the new incubator arrives. The duck eggs are due to hatch on the 25th. We are thinking we could move the ducklings to the new incubator and let them hatch there, and let the chicks in the old incubator, is that a good idea?
What is the best temp for hatching chicken eggs and how much humidity do they need? I have read a lot about this, but was wondering what folks who have done this for a while feel works best.
Our Langshan eggs arrive today. I know we need to let them settle with the points down. How long should we do this?
Also, I have read a lot of posts that say not to open the incubator very much. We try to turn our eggs at least five times in 24 hours, is this opening the incubator too much?
I know we should not turn the duck eggs during the last couple (2-3?) days, is this true for chicken eggs too?
Any and all advice as we try to hatch our first chicken eggs would be so appreciated!
No need to tell us that we rushed into this foolishly unprepared.....we know this!!!
Deb
We have been incubating duck eggs and had our first duckling arrive last week! It was so exciting that we (stupidly) ordered some black Langshan eggs (24) because we wanted to try chicken eggs.
I say, stupidly, because we also ordered another incubator that is taking its sweet time about getting here. If we were smart we would have made sure the incubator was here and stable BEFORE we ordered the eggs!
We have room to put the chicken eggs in with the duck eggs, until the new incubator arrives. The duck eggs are due to hatch on the 25th. We are thinking we could move the ducklings to the new incubator and let them hatch there, and let the chicks in the old incubator, is that a good idea?
What is the best temp for hatching chicken eggs and how much humidity do they need? I have read a lot about this, but was wondering what folks who have done this for a while feel works best.
Our Langshan eggs arrive today. I know we need to let them settle with the points down. How long should we do this?
Also, I have read a lot of posts that say not to open the incubator very much. We try to turn our eggs at least five times in 24 hours, is this opening the incubator too much?
I know we should not turn the duck eggs during the last couple (2-3?) days, is this true for chicken eggs too?
Any and all advice as we try to hatch our first chicken eggs would be so appreciated!
No need to tell us that we rushed into this foolishly unprepared.....we know this!!!
Deb