First time incubating eggs help !,,

[GeorgRodway]

Hi every one I'm new here so any advice would be good !!
I purchased my first incubator about a week ago from a guy that makes them. I think it's made out of styro foam. However set it up 3 days ago and it's been on a consistent temperature of around 37.5/38C which is pretty constant(have 2 thermometers ). I have not added any water but the humidity of my front room seems to have effect as its in around the 25-30% mark on my humidity reader thing. Finally received my eggs 2 days ago 10 white miniature silkie eggs, 6 well summer eggs and 6 light Sussex eggs.( From ebay) I choose these breeds beacause at my poultry and livestock auction( partner is a farmer so we go there a lot) these breeds sell for the most which is why I'm doing it to earn some extra cash as well as enjoying raising birds more of a hobby really but hey ho . I give my eggs 24hours to settle befor putting in the incubator, luckily all my eggs were packed brilliantly so no cracks or splits. I've decided I want to try the dry method, but the thing I'm in dispute about is some people don't turn the eggs for the 1st 5-10 days and others do but each method has had great success from what I've read ? Does any one have any opinions on this its been 2 days and I haven't touched them yet ? As I'm in debate help ?... Also when candling them do I use gloves as I've heard oils in your hands kill the chicks ? Thanks in advance guys for any advice really appreciated xx

 

[chicknlove]

Hi every one I'm new here so any advice would be good !!
I purchased my first incubator about a week ago from a guy that makes them. I think it's made out of styro foam. However set it up 3 days ago and it's been on a consistent temperature of around 37.5/38C which is pretty constant(have 2 thermometers ). I have not added any water but the humidity of my front room seems to have effect as its in around the 25-30% mark on my humidity reader thing. Finally received my eggs 2 days ago 10 white miniature silkie eggs, 6 well summer eggs and 6 light Sussex eggs.( From ebay) I choose these breeds beacause at my poultry and livestock auction( partner is a farmer so we go there a lot) these breeds sell for the most which is why I'm doing it to earn some extra cash as well as enjoying raising birds more of a hobby really but hey ho

. I give my eggs 24hours to settle befor putting in the incubator, luckily all my eggs were packed brilliantly so no cracks or splits. I've decided I want to try the dry method, but the thing I'm in dispute about is some people don't turn the eggs for the 1st 5-10 days and others do but each method has had great success from what I've read ? Does any one have any opinions on this its been 2 days and I haven't touched them yet ? As I'm in debate help ?... Also when candling them do I use gloves as I've heard oils in your hands kill the chicks ? Thanks in advance guys for any advice really appreciated xx

Day 4-8 are of most importance when turning eggs. There was a study done on here I believe. I've just washed my hands before turning eggs myself but wearing gloves can't hurt. Try to turn an odd number so they don't lay on the same side over night everyday. Are you candleing or doing the hands off method?

 

[GeorgRodway]

Day 4-8 are of most importance when turning eggs. There was a study done on here I believe. I've just washed my hands before turning eggs myself but wearing gloves can't hurt. Try to turn an odd number so they don't lay on the same side over night everyday. Are you candleing or doing the hands off method?

what would you suggest start turning them now ? Also I'm not sure on the candling what do u suggest ?

 

[silkiechicken]

I just toss em in, and turn them starting the first day. There is a ton to learn when it comes to incubating and lots is trial and error. Incubator, room, time of year, relative humidity, how the stars align... you'll just have to learn how your particular incubator works and try different methods with multiple batches of eggs. You can take a peek at the candling thread in my sig for ideas. Good luck!

 

[chicknlove]

I start turning my shipped eggs on day 3. I would wait to candle, around day 8-10 it's more important to wait, esp on shipped eggs. As long as your not smelling a rotten egg smell or seeing a weeping egg. If you do, smell all the eggs and get rid of the stinker asap.

 

[GeorgRodway]

Thanks very much !! Will take this into concideration ! What's your method with humidity ? How has your luck been with hatching any good tips ? Sorry I'm just really exited about this and want to get it right !

 

[thebrianbarno]

I do not reccomend the dry incubation because I lost 16 chicks to it. They were fully developed but died before hatch day. I think it's because of the the temperature here in the West in San Diego, CA. Just be careful those eggs sound expensive.
oh and I don't rotate the eggs and have never had a problem as they say, for example the chich will get stuck to the shell after hatching.

 

[GeorgRodway]

Well I live in England so the temperature doesn't really get that warm but I keep them in my front room which is a temperature of 14/15C I will be adding water on the 18th day so my method isn't completely dry. I'm going to start turning on the third day which is tomorrow. Could any one advise me on how much I need to be turning them ?

 

[GeorgRodway]

I do not reccomend the dry incubation because I lost 16 chicks to it. They were fully developed but died before hatch day. I think it's because of the the temperature here in the West in San Diego, CA. Just be careful those eggs sound expensive.
oh and I don't rotate the eggs and have never had a problem as they say, for example the chich will get stuck to the shell after hatching.

would you not recommend turning the eggs at all ?

 

[thebrianbarno]

would you not recommend turning the eggs at all ?

Well throughout the 18 day period that you can open the incubator and can actually turn the eggs because after 18 days you shouldn't turn them, you should turn them 4 times within those first days. Equally spaced out though... but as I said it's all about where you live and the climate you live in, so I recommend experimenting before getting serious results...
hope this helps fellow chicken lover