Hello! Fellow homesteader looking to learn and share :)

[Brittwearsboots]

Hi! My name is Brittany, and I havea hobby farm/homestead where I raise chickens, ducks, and turkeys. I recently decided to get a Little Giant 12300 Incubator to hatch ducklings and turkeys. We do not have a rooster yet (we have 4 silkies that we are waiting to see the genders) so we are not hatching chickens just yet. I would love any and all advice on hatching via incubator for our Royal Palm turkeys and Welsh Harlequin ducks. Thank you in advance!

 

[Kiki]

Welcome Brittany!
We are glad you joined our flock!
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

May I suggest you feed the birds that you plan to hatch eggs from extra vitamins and mineral for a few weeks before you collect eggs.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

Coop Ideas:
Chicken Coops

BYC has an APP!

 

[Brittwearsboots]

Welcome Brittany!
We are glad you joined our flock!
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

May I suggest you feed the birds that you plan to hatch eggs from extra vitamins and mineral for a few weeks before you collect eggs.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

Coop Ideas:
Chicken Coops

BYC has an APP!

Thank you! I have been letting them free range in an enclosed fence, and we give our birds a 16% protein layer blend to help with maintaining healthy layers as well, because we do eat the duck and chicken eggs regularly that we do not plan to incubate. I have tried once prior to this to hatch ducklings, and up until the 25th day, all 7 eggs were doing great according to the research I'd done on candling and what to look for. Once the turner was out, I think I made the mistake of candling them once again and only ended up having one duckling hatch healthy. I'm completely new to using an incubator, and very new to turkey eggs, too.

 

[Kiki]

Thank you! I have been letting them free range in an enclosed fence, and we give our birds a 16% protein layer blend to help with maintaining healthy layers as well, because we do eat the duck and chicken eggs regularly that we do not plan to incubate. I have tried once prior to this to hatch ducklings, and up until the 25th day, all 7 eggs were doing great according to the research I'd done on candling and what to look for. Once the turner was out, I think I made the mistake of candling them once again and only ended up having one duckling hatch healthy. I'm completely new to using an incubator, and very new to turkey eggs, too.

I'm meaning to feed them extra supplement besides their layer feed.
Give me a few minutes and I'll find a product I am talking about.

"These feeds are more or less like the layer feeds, but vary in terms of the higher levels of proteins they contain. In addition, they are also believed to contain some extra vitamins for the chickens in comparison to the layer feed for chicken."

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Hi Brittany! I can’t answer your question but I can make sure you get a warm welcome!!!!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Brittwearsboots]

I'm meaning to feed them extra supplement besides their layer feed.
Give me a few minutes and I'll find a product I am talking about.

"These feeds are more or less like the layer feeds, but vary in terms of the higher levels of proteins they contain. In addition, they are also believed to contain some extra vitamins for the chickens in comparison to the layer feed for chicken."

Oh, well that is definitely good to know! We will start that right away to help with future laying. Thank you!

 

[Kiki]

Oh, well that is definitely good to know! We will start that right away to help with future laying. Thank you!

It's not just to help with laying its to help them lay healthier more likely to hatch with no problem egg.

There are some companies that see "breeder" type feed.
Feel free to use the link in my signature...it will take you to a chart I am working on that compares feeds side by side.

 

[drumstick diva]

Brittany, you can also post on the "Turkey forum," for information on feed, hatching turkey poults etc. Also the "Duck Forum," for likewise information. Thank you for joining us at Backyard chickens.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello Brittany and welcome to BYC.