First time incubating HELP

[fwunit114]

I just got a hovabator 1588 Genesis with the auto egg Turner for Father's day and just ordered some jubilee orpington eggs to try and hatch can't wait to get them be here in a few days I have never incubated eggs any advice and help would be greatly appreciated thanks

 

[chiques chicks]

Find hatching 101 on here and read it. It is a wonderful, detailed piece.

And have fun! Hatching is addictive, you might as well start the new coops now.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Yes the hatching 101 thread is an excellent source of info and a must read for newbiews. The assisted hatching thread is also a good thread to read as well.

The biggest advice I can give you is have your own checked/accurate thermometer/hygrometer in the bator. (I use no less than 2 usually three.) Never trust a thermometer/hygrometer (even the ones on the bators) unless you've checked them for accuracy. An innacurate thermometer can cost you your hatch.

My second piece of advice is incubator manuals are only good for info on the product NOT on incubating. They throw out how much to fill water wells or this high rate of humidity w/out taking a myriad of factors into consideration where humidity is concerned. No one has a magic humidity number. You have to find yours. Many of us have found that with the styrofoam bators especially, a low humidity incubation method works the best. (Unless you are in an extrememely arid or high elevation location.) Understanding why we control humidity is also a big step in knowing how to control it. I recommend this method: http://letsraisechickens.weebly.com...anuals-understanding-and-controlling-humidity to understanding and finding a good humidity level for your eggs. With accurate thermometer/hygrometer this method has been working great for me.

The Hovabator 1588 is the one I've been considering buying to replace my LG that I have been using. You'll have to keep us posted how the hatch goes and what you thinkof the bator. It has some of the better reviews for the styrofoam bators.

 

[fwunit114]

Thanks for all the info it's a lot to take in I hope this works I just ordered some jubilee orpington eggs I have wanted this breed since I got into chickens and hopefully this works can't wait I got them from Bjpoultry.com out of Michigan

 

[RubyNala97]

Thanks for all the info it's a lot to take in I hope this works I just ordered some jubilee orpington eggs I have wanted this breed since I got into chickens and hopefully this works can't wait I got them from Bjpoultry.com out of Michigan

So it sounds like the eggs will be shipped to you? Shipped eggs come with their own challenges. I would let them rest, pointy end down, in cartons for 12-24 hours at room temp before setting them in the incubator. Then place them in the cartons, in the incubator and don't turn for the first 5 days or untill air cells are stable. Here is a link to hatching 101, that was mentioned. I would read it twice! It really does cover everything!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

 

[fwunit114]

After my eggs hatch keeping fingers crossed is it OK to just take the egg Turner out and continue using the incubator Kind of like a brooder for a few days till the chick's get a little bigger

 

[chiques chicks]

The incubator will be too warm by about 5 degrees (F). A day is OK, by then they will be dry and moving around well. It is a good idea to move them to a brooder with water and food.

Also, incubators are full of many bacteria, that is why they smell and need disinfected.

 

[RubyNala97]

After my eggs hatch keeping fingers crossed is it OK to just take the egg Turner out and continue using the incubator Kind of like a brooder for a few days till the chick's get a little bigger

Reasons to definetily NOT do that: Of course they need fresh food and water. And I think the proper bedding helps strengthen their legs (especially if you get a splayed leg) but most importantly, they poop and go to the bathroom a LOT! They run through their water and spill their food...you'd have to throw the incubator out, even if you managed to lower the temp, if you keep them in there! It'd be a huge mess! Plus they need fresh air, for the reasons mentioned above. A brooder doesn't have to be fancy. It can be a cardboard box with a light or a heating pad, see this thread for more info.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update/30

 

[AmyLynn2374]

The incubator will be too warm by about 5 degrees (F). A day is OK, by then they will be dry and moving around well. It is a good idea to move them to a brooder with water and food.

Also, incubators are full of many bacteria, that is why they smell and need disinfected.

Reasons to definetily NOT do that: Of course they need fresh food and water. And I think the proper bedding helps strengthen their legs (especially if you get a splayed leg) but most importantly, they poop and go to the bathroom a LOT! They run through their water and spill their food...you'd have to throw the incubator out, even if you managed to lower the temp, if you keep them in there! It'd be a huge mess! Plus they need fresh air, for the reasons mentioned above. A brooder doesn't have to be fancy. It can be a cardboard box with a light or a heating pad, see this thread for more info.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update/30

Xs 2


Chicks need to be in a brooder where they have fresh air, fresh food and water, some good bedding to bed down in, the availability to move in and out of heat as they need to and room to move and run.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

So it sounds like the eggs will be shipped to you? Shipped eggs come with their own challenges. I would let them rest, pointy end down, in cartons for 12-24 hours at room temp before setting them in the incubator. Then place them in the cartons, in the incubator and don't turn for the first 5 days or untill air cells are stable. Here is a link to hatching 101, that was mentioned. I would read it twice!

It really does cover everything!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

X2 on resting the eggs for a day to settle after being tossed around in shipping.

The 1588 is preset so in theory you've nothing to worry about temperature wise. Get yourself a cheap hygrometer and calibrate it with a salt test. I'm an advocate of a drier hatch, run 30% first 18 days and take out of egg turner to lay flat then up the humidity to 70%. I use paper towels on bottom of incubator when taking out the turner. Makes for easy end of hatch cleanup.

Salt test:

Milk cap or what have you container filled with salt then add drops of water until saturated. Pour off any standing water.

Put the cap and hygrometer in a zip seal bag (sandwich or quart size) with small pillow of air.

Wait 4 hours and note the humidity reading. Subtract that from 75 and write the number on piece of tape.

Attach tape to incubator as a reminder to add or subtract that calibration # for your readings.

Ex: Your reading is 82% RH. 75-82= -7. You'd always subtract 7 from all your reading to be true RH.