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.

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[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!

 

[Mellowmalt]

I keep temp the same for the last 3 days. I don't think the exact humidity is that important - what you have now seems perfect although you are a bit early, I would keep them in the 40-50% range till day 18, then go to about 70%. As long as it is over 65 and not over 75 you will be fine - what is actually more important is to be as fast as possible when opening and closing the incubator and like mentioned let the chick dry for 2 hours before removing them.

 

[PDXJULES]

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!

There is enough room for a day or 2 of tiny hatchlings. I do not like Humidity over 55 until after Candling day 17. Then not over 70... As each hatch raises it very high for awhile. Watching size of air cells is most important. Move dry babies to join the others after they can stand, and if no more pips at that time. Thet may need a little protection from the stronger Chicks. Good luck!