First time incubating

[LaurEliz]

Hello, friends.

I have gotten my first incubator and set it up, had it running for a couple days before I put the eggs in, which I did today. I have read a lot of articles and other people's forum posts about incubating eggs, but I just want to double check that there isn't anything I'm not thinking of.

My temperature is exactly right and consistent, so I don't have worries about that. I worry about the humidity a little bit. I can't get it to stay a constant number, but it is always 50-55. Is that okay? From what I've read and my understanding, it's really something that I have to candle throughout development to see if the air pockets are right and then adjust from there, right?

Also, I know that you are supposed to turn them a minimum of 3-5 times per day, but a mother hen turns them much more than that. I assume it would be ideal if I also turned them much more than that. Besides for being obsessive, is there a maximum amount to turn them? If I turn them, say, 15-20 times per day, would that be better than the 3-5? Would it be harmful if I turned them 15-20 times per day some days, but 3-5 another day?

I know all about "lockdown" and I think I'm good on anything else, but any other pointers or things that other people commonly make mistakes on are welcome.

I have no idea if these questions are no-brainers or not. I've never incubated before, though I've had chickens my entire life. Usually, I just leave the hatching up to the hens.

Thank you all in advance.

 

[PSLink12]

I’m no help, but I’m with you! This is my first time incubating, too, and I just put my eggs in Thursday as well! How many eggs are you hatching? What kind?

 

[LaurEliz]

I’m no help, but I’m with you! This is my first time incubating, too, and I just put my eggs in Thursday as well! How many eggs are you hatching? What kind?

I put 14 in the incubator. I have only one rooster, a cochin, so all chicks should be half cochin. Eggs were laid by cochins, easter eggers, barred rock, buff orpington, wyandotte, and jersey giant. No idea what these chicks are going to look like, but it'll be interesting. What kind are you incubating?

 

[PSLink12]

I’m new to chickens altogether. I ordered 12 bantam eggs, but 3 came busted. There are 3 Easter Eggers, 2 blue laced red wyandottes, 2 silver sebrights, and 2 silver penciled rocks. I caved and candled today, but actually saw some veining already! I’m so excited to see what hatches

 

[LaurEliz]

I’m new to chickens altogether. I ordered 12 bantam eggs, but 3 came busted. There are 3 Easter Eggers, 2 blue laced red wyandottes, 2 silver sebrights, and 2 silver penciled rocks. I caved and candled today, but actually saw some veining already! I’m so excited to see what hatches

I haven't candled yet, but I was thinking about doing it later tonight. I'm getting too excited to wait! I hope I'm doing everything right. I've read many different things that are all varied a little, but I'm doing my best.

 

[PSLink12]

How’s it going? Have you candled? I did just now and there are 5 perfect embryos with lots of veining, 3 definite duds, and 1 on the fence. I’ll try to include a pic of my easier to see babies.

 

[PSLink12]

Here’s another good one

 

[LaurEliz]

Here’s another good one

Good photos! I have candled a couple of mine, but my shells are all very dark. I can mostly just see shadows.

 

[LaurEliz]

Here’s another good one

How are your eggs doing now? I just candled all of mine. I have 4 definite good eggs with proper veining. I have four that, because of the color of the shells, I can't see inside at all. I have 6 that I am uncertain about because I can't see any development from what I can see, but I also can't see inside them very well either.