Getting started with an incubator

[muddler6]

Being the kind of person I am, I like to do test runs before I go crazy with any hobby. My money order is in the mail to buy an incubator off of one of the fine folks here, I figure I'll have it by the first of the year at the latest. My question is, what breed and species are relatively easy to hatch? Or are they pretty much the same? Keep the temp and humidity right and keep your fingers crossed. I want to do a trial run, and if it is something I don't plan to keep for myself, I know a guy...well, he isn't too picky, if it lays an egg he'll take it. I have bantam cochins and although my cockeral is a bit frisky already, I think he is a little too young to get it done, but this spring we should be in business. O.K. enough rambling, where should I start?

 

[tx_dane_mom]

I'd definately do chickens, not ducks or something more 'rare.' I don't know about anyone else, but my first 'hatch' which is still my best rate to date was Barred Rocks, I had 13 of 15 (I think) hatch.
HTH,
Kristi

 

[kstaven]

Standard sized chickens are your best bet to start with. Bantams often require more fiddling with humidity to get good hatch rates. As long as the rooster is doing his job I have never found a difference in hatch rates across the standard breeds.

 

[muddler6]

Well, when I get my incubator, I'll try it out to get the temp and humidity where they need to be then I'll track down some standard size bird eggs. I better pace myself though, I only have 2 acres and am trying to keep them to the back of the property (for their housing anyways). But I could see me going overboard as I tend to do sometimes, so hopefully someone nearby will want some birds. Thanks for the info!!

 

[speckledhen]

Actually with 2 acres, you can have alot of chickens with little problem!

 

[muddler6]

Tell that to my wife!!

 

[seminolewind]

Muddler, the best hatch rate I had so far has been with SpeckledHen's eggs. Her chicks were big and healthy.