Hatch Update - We are done with batch #1 - PIC HEAVY

[speckledhen]

LOL, you only need one, but if you have a separate hatcher, then you can keep the bator clean and can have staggered hatches-you just remove any eggs on their Day 18 at the proper time and put them in the hatcher, which is ready to go with proper temp and the higher humidity. I incubate them in my Hovabator and use the homemade Fridge-a-Bator for hatching.

 

[arlee453]

Quote:
Sorry BirdBrain... it's just like coops - I started with one, now have two and don't even have enough birds yet to fill up the larger one I built.

Of course, the eggs in the incubator will help my occupation rate.

Started with one coolerbator and now have two... this chicken thing is definately catching.

 

[Mareloo]

When I started of I didn't know you can put different clutches in the same bator. I was under the impression that you need one for every different date your eggs going to hatch. You got a better chance (IMO) of actually hatching the eggs if they no older than 7 days. That is why I made the first three bators (3 x 7 = 21days)

I then learned that they don't hatch nice and perfect in a hour or so, so there is going to be "rollover" days. Therefor I built the 4th bator, so that the 4th clutch doesn't go in later than the 7 days I kept them.

Then I learned, you can put in different dates, ext all you need is a hatcher.. LOL!.. Now I am thinking.. Mmm, maybe it will be in my best interest to built a hatcher to..

So, BirdBrain.. To answer your question... If you going to hatch your own eggs.. I think you need the minimum of 4 bators and 1 hatcher!

 

[mdbucks]

BirdBrain wrote:
Just a point of curiosity...Just how many bators does one need? When I finally have the pleasure of hatching eggs, is this the path I am going to be going down too?

The answer may depend on how well you can refrain from buying ALL the eggs that are available, then realizing you dont have enough room so you have to do an emergency purchase.

So that you can fit them all into your bators.​

 

[MissPrissy]

I like Mareloo's answer.

 

[BirdBrain]

OH DEAR!! It's a slippery slope.

 

[speckledhen]

Ain't that the truth!

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
The answer may depend on how well you can refrain from buying ALL the eggs that are available, then realizing you dont have enough room so you have to do an emergency purchase.

So that you can fit them all into your bators.

Yup, MD's got me on that one. Bator #3 was an oh **** purchase.
I'm up to 3 brooders now also. 2 guinea pig cages (36 wide x 15 x 15) with
70 watt heat lamps plus my big brooder out in the barn.

Two bators, in my opinion, are perfect for a small flock. This way you can introduce
eggs at different times. Then have small batches hatching on a regular or managable basis.

When the eggs I have now are done I'm gonna sell 2 of the bators and upgrade to
a better, single bator. I'll keep one LG as my hatcher.

Last Word: New hatchers please stay off eggbid and ebay. Start out with some
basic/cheap (I hate to say expendable) eggs for your first hatch then get your
name on Speckledhens or Hinkjcs list and hatch some little angels.

 

[tazcat70]

Quote:
Ok, What if you can't find any cheap eggs around you? Then can I look on Ebay?

Tonya

 

[speckledhen]

Hey, my eggs are cheap! Don is sweet to say things like that, but I include so many extras usually, that, per egg, they don't cost anymore than the "expendable" eggs he mentioned, LOL.