Help with my first time incubating eggs

[bribre]

Hi. Next week I was planing on trying my first hatch in my new Hova Bator model 1602N thermal air flow incubator. I really don't know much about incubating eggs. I know the humidity for the first 18 days is recommended to be 55-65% and the last 3 65-80%. And not sure what I need the temp at? Also I do not have a egg turner yet so I will be doing it by hand. So how many time a day do u turn them?

What else do I need to know?
Do you recommend I put a computer fan in it?

Thanks
Bre

 

[bribre]

Anyone??

 

[MyNameIs86]

i had my first hatch last year.
I have the same model. however I do have a turner that turns for me. I hear that you have to turn them 8 times per day. But i could be wrong.
i think if you are going to do this more then once I'd suggest an automatic turner cuz maybe you won't be home all day to turn them.

 

[trailchick]

Yours does not have a fan in it, being a thermal air ?
Dont know much about those ......
but a fan would be better to start with than a turner.
Air will need to circulate inside with some ventilation from outside air.
I would just read thru a bunch of the incubating & hatching threads to get
a better idea of what your 'bator can do. The advance search tool on
here might show up a few threads discussing your model.

The eggs need to be turned at least 3 times a day minimum....
The turner reduces the need to open the incubator up which
usually reduces the temp, and humidity. But in nature, a hen will also
go off the nest a couple of times a day which will do the same thing
(cooling & airing the nest out).

Welcome to BYC & good luck!

 

[bribre]

That's the thing I don't really understand my incubator has a little fan in it but I've read on here that people with the same incubator put the PC fan in it.. Is it because I need a stronger fan?
I will be getting an egg turner before summer just wanted to have a test run before I start putting my more valuable black copper marans eggs in it.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[ozexpat]

That's the thing I don't really understand my incubator has a little fan in it but I've read on here that people with the same incubator put the PC fan in it.. Is it because I need a stronger fan?
I will be getting an egg turner before summer just wanted to have a test run before I start putting my more valuable black copper marans eggs in it.
Thanks for the reply.

its because the bought it without a fan and are upgrading it.

PC fans are cheaper but stronger air exchane - they have larger fins for the same diameter fans - you are better off with the fan designed for your bator if you have one.

Although I will use PC fans, I make sure the airflow is not directly hitting a single spot.

 

[bribre]

Thanks oz!!
I really should know all of this from reading your getting the flock out of here forum lol
Do you run the same incubator I can't remember?
Also what temp do I need it at?

 

[ozexpat]

I have 2 of the forced air 1602N. I like them a lot. They are roomy enough to have a big water container so I dont have to worry about filling it during lockdown, Much taller than the LG or Farm Innovators. For a basic thermostat, the wafer is great and easy to adjust. I use a digital thermostat to override the one on my farm innovators.

I run at 99.8 and it hovers between 99.3 and 100.3.

I get first pips early day 20.