Hatching chicken eggs for the first time!

[AmericanMom]

I made my own incubator and now I'm ready to put my eggs in. When is the best time if the day to start them?

I like to put them in at evening time, that way I go to bed and wake up to fluffies... Less temptation to assist when it requires I stay up all night

 

[Zanlm]

Got up this morning and hum was at 25% and temp was at 97. Ugh I covered the holes and I'm gonna add a bit of hot water to my little Rubbermaid container. Fingers crossed!

 

[Zanlm]

I must be turning into a crazy chicken lady cause I just wanna be with my chickens and watch my eggs all day!

 

[Zanlm]

Ok again! I am wondering how bad is it if my temp goes up or down like 3-4 ? I want to but can't watch every sec of the day.

Also, how often can I turn my eggs? Can I turn them to much?

 

[red horse ranch]

Ok again! I am wondering how bad is it if my temp goes up or down like 3-4 ? I want to but can't watch every sec of the day.

Also, how often can I turn my eggs? Can I turn them to much?

Temperature fluctuations probably aren't ideal. Too cool and the hatch will be delayed. Too hot and you may cook the eggs! You don't want the temp going over 103 for extended periods.
A hen does get off the nest once a day and the eggs will cool while she is off. So temporary cooling isn't unnatural. Depending on how many eggs she has under her, all the eggs may not have the same temperature all the time. So there is some fluctuation in what the eggs can take and still hatch.
As far as turning them, I take my cue from the hen. She doesn't turn every egg every 4 hours. Most of the day she is just sitting still on them. So there is a little leeway in doing that too.

 

[Zanlm]

Wel 2nd night and all looks good. A little bit of problem with the temp. Goes up to 102 and I quickly get it down then the next time I check it's 97.

I hope it doesn't kill the little ones.

 

[Zanlm]

Red you have been so helpful.

Seems like at night it goes down to 97. We are getting colder nights now and my hubby is starting the Furnance as I write this. I have to figure this out today! . I will work on it and let you know.

Moisture is staying at 30% which is good I think.

 

[AmericanMom]

Red you have been so helpful.

Seems like at night it goes down to 97. We are getting colder nights now and my hubby is starting the Furnance as I write this. I have to figure this out today! . I will work on it and let you know.

Moisture is staying at 30% which is good I think.

The only heat source we have is a wood stove, so in the incubator room I have a small space heater and I set it to 73... I used to have those problems also with low temps during the night... They should be ok but expect your hatch to be a day or more late.

 

[Zanlm]

Thanks Mom I feel better now. With it being my first time hatching I'm question in every thing. Lol.

 

[AmericanMom]

Thanks Mom I feel better now. With it being my first time hatching I'm question in every thing. Lol.

I know how it is, You will want to stabilize that temperature as much as you can, I am on my last incubator hatch for the year (day 16) its just to expensive to run the space heater.. It has kicked on and off all night for the last week or so, we have warmer weather during the day tho so that helps.