Hi I am NEW to BYC! I need help hatching some chicks URGENTLY. I made a very hasty incubator. (At first I used my bra) I turn the eggs about 3 times every day and I spray them with a little water out of an old perfume bottle at least two times a day. I'm really desperate to get help. My parents just figured out yesterday. They have no idea of how to do this so they are absolutely no help. Please tell me stuff I should know. Two eggs are 4 days incubated and 4 eggs are 2 days incubated. I did candle them, and they are all fertilized... I don't know if i scrambled them by carrying them around though. We do not have chickens but we hope to get them this Sat. You need to respond to this thread!!!
oK your best bet is a used incubator on Craigs etc.or you can make one . Look on YOUTUBE for directions Here is one i made Got a $2.50 styrofoam cooler Walmart and took a light fixture( buy one or take from an old lamp ) make a hole in the cooler up high one side big enough for the part where you twist the bulb on will fit. then stick it in and twist the bulb on. A 40 watt will do.electric tape it. or duct tape the temp has to stay even 99. for them to hatch . Then take the lid and cut a large hole in the lid leaving an inner edge on it to fit a piece of plexiglass in it. Add a piece of fine screen on the bottom raise about 1/2 inch off the bottom with gals bn4eads or peicesdof wood so you can add water for humidity in the bottom yet the eggs will stay above the water. You should have a temp regulator from a water heater for it to work well but i have had this work without depends on room temp though Water heater regulator you find it at Lowes. Maybe you can wire it to the light .You need a good thermometer to make sure your temp isnt too hot or cold . You need to put about 6 or 8 pencil size holes in the top sides for heat to disperse Check your heat for a few hours before you put the eggs in ...Might need a few more holes. Then you should be set.If it gets too hot in there i put a piece of tin foil under or around the bulb to block some heat out WARNING ...WATCH THE HOLE THE LIGHT BULB FIXTURE IS IN SO IT DOESNT GET HOT AND CATCH FIRE..LINE HOLE WITH TIN FOIL BUT KEEP AN EYE ON IT.. You have to use some money to have an incubator that will work and hatch your eggs whatever way you go so buying an incubator would be best or borrow one. The eggs need to be 99 -100 degrees to develop. . Some bators are very cheap for only a few eggs. Look on Ebay for new or even some used. or craigs. You can get one for maybe $25-$35 used I think GOOD LUCK .
Eggs will hatch in 21 days from the day after you set them.. Put X on one sais with pencil O on the other and turn them 3 times a day until day 18.Then no turning. Because of the poor start they have had in a bra etc...can be later with yours as they may not be developing yet if the temp is too low.. 25 days maybe Temp 99-100 and humidity should be about 40 but last 4 days needs to be 60 so they can get out of the shell. Day 10 and 17 check them by candling. Day 10.... the shell looks 1/2 dark inside or you may see movement Day 17 should be all dark inside may be a tiny light at the big end but not much..Those should hatch