Hatcher?

[playswithfowl]

I have a question about when the eggs around day 18. So from what I can tell day 18 is about when everyone moves the eggs from the incubator to the 'hatcher'. What exactly is the hatcher? When exactly should I take the eggs off of the turner? Do I change the temperature? Humidity? I have never hatched eggs before from an incubator and know next to nothing about it. I think I am going to have to buy a book on incubating eggs. Any suggestions?
Thanks, AJ

 

[BantyChickMom]

For those that have several batches of eggs due on different days, they have 2 incubators, one for the incubation period ( up to day 18), and one for the hatching phase (day 18 thru hatch), better known as a "hatcher".
Temps should stay about 99.5 to 100 thru 21 days but humidity should be 40% to 50% thru day 18 and increased to 65% to 70% from day 18 to hatch.
If you have staggered hatches you really need a separate hatcher so the higher humidity for the first hatches doesn't affect the eggs in the later hatches.
I've hatched several batches in the same incubator but they were my own eggs, I wouldn't recommend doing it with expensive eggs.

Eggs should be turned 3 times a day up to day 18.
At day 18, humidity should be increased and eggs should be left alone until hatched.
DO NOT open the incubator after day 18 because you will lose that much needed humidity and temperature.

Hope this helps you.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

If your a small flock owner like me and dont hatch eggs at different intervals you dont need a hatchers. Though the info Banty has is great

 

[ozark hen]

I was going to post this same question until I decided to do a search and see if anyone else had asked what a hatcher was? So glad I found this. Great answer banty. One even I could understand...old people!! LOL thanks

 

[chixrme]

One more 2cents worth... we have 'bator with auto turner, take turner out at day 18 (3 days before hatch expected) and the 'bator becomes the hatcher. We don't change anything, except to remove the auto turner. This is their new home untill all are a day old. No food or water for 24 hrs. Then into a brooder, or brooder house, or warm coop etc @ 95+ and then down each week by 5 degrees until they are feathered out. We have 75%+ hatching ratios with our eggs, both chicken and guinea. Have not bought eggs, so don't have those figures. HAVE FUN!

 

[ajcress]

I a mordering a 1588 bator from cutlers. I am also new to this and I am wondering can I take out my turning racks like you did to make a hatcher?

 

[jimnjay]

Many people do just that, on day 18 remove the hatcher and your incubator becomes your hatcher. That is what I do. You can also make your own hatcher very simply. Do a search on Homemade incubators. I used a Styrofoam Box like used to ship seafood or in my case, Omaha Steaks. All you need is a light socket, I use one from the hobby shop that they use to light up stained glass houses. I also use a dimmer switch. A seperate hatcher is not necessary but using one does save on wear and tear in you incubator.

 

[ajcress]

Thank you very much for the info. you guys are so nice to the new people!!

 

[Poison Ivy]

Quote:
I made one just like yours and I still use mine from time to time.
I like the dimmer switch it's make it so easy to regulate the temps.

 

[speckledhen]

You only really need a separate hatcher if you are staggering hatch dates, so then all eggs have the proper humidity. My first hatch was done in my Hova by just taking the eggs from the turner, removing the turner and laying them back on their sides in the bator then upping the humidity. Since then, DH has wanted to play around with making his own bators and so I have a separate hatcher made from a small dorm fridge whose compressor had gone bad.