Help I'm new to hatching chickens

[jayke563]

There are a lot of factors involved. What kind of incubator you are using (still or forced air) and your ambient humidity will effect what humidity is going to work for you. In my sig at the bottom of the post is a link for the humidity method I recommend. (I use 75% at hatch.)  There is no magic number, you have to find what works with your eggs and that method explains how to do it. If you are using a still air then you want an average of about 101.5F taken near the top of the eggs. If you are using forced you want 99.5F. Other things are going to effect the hatch rate though. Egg quality, whether they are shipped or local. (Shipped eggs have an average of 50% hatch.) Handling practices, how clean the eggs are, how sanitary the bator is. Hatch rate is not all dependent on temp and humidity though that is a big part of it.

(Also, having checked and accurate thermometers/hygrometers are detrimental to your hatch.)

I'm actually using a home made incubator that I made out of a styrofoam cooler the temp right now is about 101 degrees and the humitidy is 55% I also got my eggs from a friend of mine who has s rooster

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I'm actually using a home made incubator that I made out of a styrofoam cooler the temp right now is about 101 degrees and the humitidy is 55% I also got my eggs from a friend of mine who has s rooster

I'm going to give you some unsolicated adice right now. If you have not checked that thermometer for accuracey, do it before you trust it. My first hatch I bought that exact thermometer/hygrometer. (Springfield) I never checked it. I thought my bator was running 99-100 the whole incubation. At lockdown my chicks looked a little behind, but I was new and hoping I was just wrong. At day 24 I finally had one hatch, another at day 25, but he didn't make it. I was told to check the thermometer. I did and found that it was SIX degrees off!!

As for humidity, I wouldn't go 55%, I use 30-35% and don't like seeing anything over 45%. But most importantly,checked your air cells and you'll know.

 

[jayke563]

N

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I'm actually using a home made incubator that I made out of a styrofoam cooler the temp right now is about 101 degrees and the humitidy is 55% I also got my eggs from a friend of mine who has s rooster

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[AmyLynn2374]

N
Quote: Those are some big eggs...lol What day are you on?

 

[jayke563]

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N

I'm actually using a home made incubator that I made out of a styrofoam cooler the temp right now is about 101 degrees and the humitidy is 55% I also got my eggs from a friend of mine who has s rooster

[/quote

Ok what thermometer/hydromitor do u recommend !?

 

[jayke563]

Those are some big eggs...lol  What day are you on?

And I'm on day 8 !

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I have a couple of the cheap digitals that springfield sells and an accurite in mine. They are checked and show the same temp within a degree. The Brinsea spot check is a highly recommended thermometer.

 

[jayke563]

I have a couple of the cheap digitals that springfield sells and an accurite in mine. They are checked and show the same temp within a degree. The Brinsea spot check is a highly recommended thermometer. 

Thank u so much bc I usually get the one day old chicks but I wanted to try something new so I tried hatching I will definitely get that thermometer thanks

 

[goodb]

I'm going to give you some unsolicated adice right now. If you have not checked that thermometer for accuracey, do it before you trust it. My first hatch I bought that exact thermometer/hygrometer. (Springfield) I never checked it. I thought my bator was running 99-100 the whole incubation. At lockdown my chicks looked a little behind, but I was new and hoping I was just wrong. At day 24 I finally had one hatch, another at day 25, but he didn't make it. I was told to check the thermometer. I did and found that it was SIX degrees off!!

As for humidity, I wouldn't go 55%, I use 30-35% and don't like seeing anything over 45%. But most importantly,checked your air cells and you'll know.

I echo this post minus the typos. (sorry Amy)

Although I have had success incubating, I prefer to have the girls do it. So far, they have hatched 14 with 4 more in another day or two. 2 broodies in various stages and another just got eggs tonight. All but one are Buckeyes.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Thank u so much bc I usually get the one day old chicks but I wanted to try something new so I tried hatching I will definitely get that thermometer thanks

Good luck!! It is exciting, and once youve had a successful hatch it is addicting...lol