Help! Incubator too small? Please read and help!

[smvettechmom]

My son bought my daughter this small 7 egg incubator for her birthday. I have eggs that have been incubating for 14 days. I just looked at reviews on Amazon and they are terrible for this incubator. I candles them at day 12 and I can see babies moving in the 5 that took. It just doesn’t look like there will be room in there if I can’t take them out as they hatch. They are due to hatch on Valentine’s Day. Any ideas? What can I do? I have hens but no one is broody right now. Also any advice for the last week? There were basically no instructions in this piece of junk. I’m so attached to these babies after all the work I’ve put into it... thank you so much for your time and expertise!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

You'll jist have to keep an eye and move as they get dry

 

[Mellowmalt]

I have to say I am impressed you got that incubator to work. I've never used it but like you say pretty much everyone ends up cooking their eggs based on the reviews I've read.

The humidity meter on your picture is reading 80%. What has it been running at so far?

A big challenge I can see is getting the humidity right for lockdown.

They won't all hatch at the same time so all you will need is a heated box to move them to once they hatch, someone will have to be on standby for this as it realy is too small to leave all 5 in there.

Can you get a heat lamp from a local reptile shop? That is all you need for them although ideally a reptile thermostat to keep it at the right temperature too.

 

[EJn]

I’ve been really having to watch the humidity in the incubator... after day 17 and I leave them alone, what if I need to add more water? Can I open it to do that?

With a bator so small you could probably unplug it really quick and plug it into a bathroom outlet if they have externally piped. Turn on hot water in shower and steam up the room before you open it. That would be plenty of humidity I would think. Do what you need to do and close the top.

 

[smvettechmom]

It’s been between 60-70%... I just added some water before that picture. I have 5 chicks we just bought today in their brooder... can I move them into that? So I can move them as long as another shell isn’t pipped yet? I quit rolling on day 18 right? And don’t open the top again until they start hatching? What humidity should I have it at now and on day 18? I’m in way over my head. I really want to do my best. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

It’s been between 60-70%... I just added some water before that picture. I have 5 chicks we just bought today in their brooder... can I move them into that? So I can move them as long as another shell isn’t pipped yet? I quit rolling on day 18 right? And don’t open the top again until they start hatching? What humidity should I have it at now and on day 18? I’m in way over my head. I really want to do my best. Thank you so much for your help!

I just move when I have a dry one and shut the incubator as soon as possible. Even with some pipped I never seem to have problems with that. But I don't fiddle Sally either when movibg. I open, grab close

 

[PDXJULES]

Last question... maybe . They are 14 days today and all 5 remaining appear to be good. Do I just leave the eggs like this for hatching? Or should I take out that tray the last three days and lay them on their side? Any ideas? I’m kicking myself for having such a bad incubator.. I feel responsible for these babies!

Idk if that's mainly a turning tray or not, but I'd remove it. Looks like their little legs may get caught in the gaps! Maybe get a paper towel for them to lay on, and put twine, cardboard or something next to each to prevent rolling after pipping. It can get lively!

 

[smvettechmom]

I have to say I am impressed you got that incubator to work. I've never used it but like you say pretty much everyone ends up cooking their eggs based on the reviews I've read.

The humidity meter on your picture is reading 80%. What has it been running at so far?

A big challenge I can see is getting the humidity right for lockdown.

They won't all hatch at the same time so all you will need is a heated box to move them to once they hatch, someone will have to be on standby for this as it realy is too small to leave all 5 in there.

Can you get a heat lamp from a local reptile shop? That is all you need for them although ideally a reptile thermostat to keep it at the right temperature too.

 

[NatJ]

I have 5 chicks we just bought today in their brooder... can I move them into that?

I would set up a separate brooder for the new ones, until they are a few days old and walking well. That way they won't get stepped on by the older ones. Once the younger ones are running around easily, you can probably combine them with the older chicks.

 

[smvettechmom]

Can you tell me what humidity and temp I want for the last three days? I read conflicting things. Thanks!