Hatching!

[MagpieDucks]

So I'm going to be setting a batch of Black Magpie eggs on the 9th of July and I need some advice. I have hatched plenty of chicken eggs before but have only hatched duck eggs under a broody before.

I ordered a gqf model number 1583 incubator that I will be using along with a thermo/hygro.

I know most of the basics such as turning, lockdown, candling etc. but need some info on Numbers for humidity and what you use for temps and how to calibrate thermometers oxygen. Thanks!

 

[chickens really]

It depends on your location....Are you in a dry or moist area?...High humidity?....

 

[MagpieDucks]

Northern MN. It sort of varys.

 

[chickens really]

I set my eggs here being its summer and moist... 40% humidity...Lock down at 60%

 

[chickens really]

Easy way.....If in drought?.....No rain...Up humidity....Not lots...If a rainy month?...Drop humidity....Its a guessing game as to getting things 100%....I am constantly checking this hatch in my incubator this time around...High humidity causes hard shells and rubber membranes..Losses can be high if too much humidity...

 

[MagpieDucks]

Trying to find more about the whole weight loss tracking thing. What can you tell me about it?

 

[chickens really]

I have never payed any attention to the weight of the egg...I watch air cells....If they seem too small I drop the humidity for a few days the last week before lock down..Once they are good I up the humidity again and then wait for lock down and up it higher .....

 

[MagpieDucks]

Thanks!

@The Duck Ladie Sorry to bother you, but, you're the only person I know that has the Hovabator #1583. I'm trying to figure out how to work the thermostat. The directions say to turn the notch until the red light comes on, but there isn't a red light as far as I can tell? Any other advice on using the incubator would be great!

 

[The Duck Ladie]

Hello! Well there should a red lightbulb near the middle of the incubator. By the fan. You basically turn it up, wait for it to heat up, see if that is the right temp, adjust, wait check etc. until the temp is right. the red light comes on when it is heating up.

 

[MagpieDucks]

Did you find that the thermometer on the hygrometer you got was accurate? I got the same one. How about the one that comes with the incubator?

Thanks for the info!