Got My first eggs & bator ** FINISHED**

[Goat_Walker]

Well I bought my first ever hova bator for $75. It has a turner, fan and everything.




I got my first eggs!!! 3 rouen x runner eggs from the magnificent Wifezilla!

I also Recieved :
12 Scovie eggs
4 crested mallard
7 Crested pekin
6 crested Blue Swede

I must say That Ducklove334, wifezilla, fattie, and kandyg_99 are EXCELLENT shippers! All my eggs came intact and I highly recommend these wonderful members!


Update 9/21:
Well... I have about four eggs left , and Im not holding out any hope for them. This has to be the worst first hatch in history

So... I decided im not giving up. I put 10 of my own eggs in the incubator and ... well its time for another adventure.

 

[FenDruadin]

You need another incubator, Goat_Walker.

I know some folks stagger their hatches all in one incubator, but I was such a nervous wreck with my first one, and made so many mistakes, I really don't want that extra pressure and extra opportunity to mess things up. I'm sure someone will pipe up with instructions, though.

Personally, I want to buy a less expensive incubator (without fan or turner) and use it for hatching. This way, I can put eggs in the 'bator every week in the Spring, and as each batch reaches lockdown, I can take them out, lock them in the second incubator, and leave the rest alone.

But, that does mean having to buy to 'bators and have a good place for both of them, so I haven't actually done it yet. For now, I'm just settling for incubating a smaller number of eggs with a longer lag time between hatches.

Oh well.

 

[Goat_Walker]

Well Once I sell the ducklings from this hatch Ill have enough to start saving for a smaller bator to place the soon - to- be hatchies in .

 

[bigkford]

Well, I'd say build one for the other set of eggs. From experience the differ dates makes a big difference on what type of eggs you are hatching. It is really cheap and well worth it. Mine works out to where one hatch is done the others start so i clean the one and move things fast to that other one. So far good hatches. I haven't drowned any from to high humidity.

 

[Wifezilla]

I built an incubator out of an old cooler for about $25. Look in the incubator building section for the gopherbator. Mine looks very close to that one.

 

[Goat_Walker]

Here is the thing - I tried making my own bator - twice- and FAILED miserablly

 

[Wifezilla]

LOL...ok then. Saving up will be a better plan for you

 

[Goat_Walker]

Well last month my ducklings all sold quickly and I had people keep trying to buy the ducklings I kept, so Im pretty sure that whatever I dont keep I can sell. If I can sell 21 ducklings then Ill have made back all the money ive spent so far.

 

[taraann81]

Hi goat walker. Ducks finally eh? Good for you. I have done staggered hatches in the past with duck eggs and had great luck!. At one point I had mallard, muscovy and silkie eggs all in at the same time, a 100% of the silkie and mallards hatched and 16 of 18 muscovies hatched so it can be done successfully.

First I think your temp is too low. I always kept mine between 99.5 and 101. Stop turning 3 days before your first group is ready to hatch(take ALL eggs out of the turner and lay them on there sides.(I personally find it too dangerous to leave an operating turner in with babies, they could get squashed) Then increase the humidity and keep the bator shut!!!! Don't worry about turning your other eggs while the first one s are hatching, 1st a few days of not turning will not be harmful, 2nd once the babies start to hatch they will turn the other eggs for you

Anything else I can help you with I will. I'm done hatching for the season. At last count I have 63 birds and a Muscovy setting on her 3rd nest this year(this time she has 20 eggs).

Good luck and have fun!!!

 

[Goat_Walker]

Thank you Thank you Thank you!

I am now convinced that I need a second, smaller batr to put my hatching eggs in three days befor hatch date.

I might try making one again since this is small.... or buy one...

Does it just need a water pan at bottom for humidity, and the temp and heat up? Or will it need a fan too? I dont want to use the aquariums if I try to make one again . Does any one know about those little styrofoam coolers? We have one that is really durable. THink I could buy that, Pu some rat wire over a water pan, and then lay the egg on the rat wire?

I could cut a wndow into the top and duck tape some plastic there , have a small hole ( dime - nickel size) for control?