First Time Using Incubator- Have Some Questions

[JonesLaneChickens]

Is this the forum for incubation and egg hatching?

 

[BYCforlife]

Is this the forum for incubation and egg hatching?

Everything to do with chickens, ducks, quail, turkey and more! What questions do you have?

 

[JonesLaneChickens]

I just got a hovabator incubator and I am wanting to hatch out some duck eggs. I figured out how to work the incubator. It's just taking care of the eggs that I am wondering about.

We are only going to hatch out 7 for our first time, but the incubator came with an egg turner that holds more. Should I decrease the amount of water for the humidity because I only have 7? I am afraid of the humidity being too high. I do have a humidity gauge on the way, but it is not supposed to arrive till Friday.

I am thinking about putting the eggs in today (I have let the incubator sit since Saturday) and adding the gauge when it gets here. Is that a bad idea? Should I wait till the gauge gets here?

Also, what temperature should I have the incubator set at? I have it at 102 degrees right now, because that seemed to be what the Storey Guide to Raising Ducks said for still air incubators.

Sorry this is a lot of questions. First time, and I want to do it right.

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

For a still air bator, I would keep the temp around 101 F. Are you sure the thermometer is correct?

As for humidity, I like to use the method known as dry incubation - though the name is not very accurate. Unless you are in an area like a desert, don't add any water until you begin lockdown. The goal is to keep the humidity around 30-35%, but going down to 25% or up to 40% is fine. Once you are at lockdown, stop turning eggs and add water until you are at 55%-75%. I prefer around 65%.

Hope all goes well with your hatch! You can start the eggs whenever the bator is keeping a steady temp.

 

[BYCforlife]

I just got a hovabator incubator and I am wanting to hatch out some duck eggs. I figured out how to work the incubator. It's just taking care of the eggs that I am wondering about.

We are only going to hatch out 7 for our first time, but the incubator came with an egg turner that holds more. Should I decrease the amount of water for the humidity because I only have 7? I am afraid of the humidity being too high. I do have a humidity gauge on the way, but it is not supposed to arrive till Friday.

I am thinking about putting the eggs in today (I have let the incubator sit since Saturday) and adding the gauge when it gets here. Is that a bad idea? Should I wait till the gauge gets here?

Also, what temperature should I have the incubator set at? I have it at 102 degrees right now, because that seemed to be what the Storey Guide to Raising Ducks said for still air incubators.

Sorry this is a lot of questions. First time, and I want to do it right.

For the humidity:
The amount of eggs shouldn't change the humidity. About 45% is maximum, but if you can't keep it at that, just don't add water at all.

Yes, for a still air incubator that is correct. 102 should be perfect!

Place the eggs large side up in the egg turner.
Put them in the middle of the incubator/egg turner, because that is where the temperature will be most precise in a still air incubator.

 

[JonesLaneChickens]

For a still air bator, I would keep the temp around 101 F. Are you sure the thermometer is correct?

As for humidity, I like to use the method known as dry incubation - though the name is not very accurate. Unless you are in an area like a desert, don't add any water until you begin lockdown. The goal is to keep the humidity around 30-35%, but going down to 25% or up to 40% is fine. Once you are at lockdown, stop turning eggs and add water until you are at 55%-75%. I prefer around 65%.

Hope all goes well with your hatch! You can start the eggs whenever the bator is keeping a steady temp.

I am pretty sure the thermometer is correct. How would I know if it is incorrect? Should I stick another one in there to double check?

Just to make sure, lockdown is when the eggs are close to hatching correct?

 

[JonesLaneChickens]

For the humidity:
The amount of eggs shouldn't change the humidity. About 45% is maximum, but if you can't keep it at that, just don't add water at all.

Yes, for a still air incubator that is correct. 102 should be perfect!

Place the eggs large side up in the egg turner.
Put them in the middle of the incubator/egg turner, because that is where the temperature will be most precise in a still air incubator.

So do you think I should put the eggs in now and add the humidity gauge in when it arrives? That will have been 3 days.

 

[JonesLaneChickens]

I'm also curious. What is the usual length of time for the incubation of Cayuga and Buff Orpington?

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

I am pretty sure the thermometer is correct. How would I know if it is incorrect? Should I stick another one in there to double check?

Just to make sure, lockdown is when the eggs are close to hatching correct?

Ok. Have you calibrated it? Look it up - it's not hard. Yes, having more than one thermometer to make sure it is accurate is great,

Yes - three days before the hatch date, you stop turning the eggs and up the humidity. It's called lockdown. Depending on what you are incubating, the day varies - so day 18 for chickens, for example. Day 25 for mallard derived ducks, turkeys and guineas, etc.

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

I'm also curious. What is the usual length of time for the incubation of Cayuga and Buff Orpington?

28 days.