Help!

[Dawnrenae]

I know it is here... So, if someone can point me to the right thread, that will be a good enough answer.

I live in Nevada. Desert. Spring temps between 55-75 degrees during the day and 45-25 degrees at night.

I am setting my incubator tonight, and it simply says keep at room temp?

Obviously this isn't right?

I am planning on a straight run so far of about 12 eggs. For my first hatch.

I did read I should keep my eggies cool and clean til I put them in, and set the incubator up a day at least in advance.

I read in one thread that 100 degrees is perfect? And to put incubator in a cool, quiet place?

I could use any thoughts or ideas.
Please and thanks.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You get your eggs to room temp before putting into the incubator. If your using shipped eggs they should be stored fat end up in egg carton for 6 to 12 hours to orient any detached air cells. You should have your incubator running for half a day to dial in temp and humidity. Once you put the eggs in the temp will drop and take a long time to get back, don't worry as you already know the thermostat is set correctly and wait it out.

Your incubator should be in a stable temperature room away from windows, solar heating. The temp your shooting for is 99.5F in an incubator with a fan. In still air incubators you measure temp at top of eggs and shoot for 101.5F.

If you don't have auto turners then use an egg carton. Makes turning the eggs easy and keeps the egg fat end up. I use a small block of wood on one side to tilt the carton then turn carton around so it's tilted other way to "turn" the eggs twice a day, once in morning and again 12 hours later at night.

 

[Dawnrenae]

You get your eggs to room temp before putting into the incubator. If your using shipped eggs they should be stored fat end up in egg carton for 6 to 12 hours to orient any detached air cells. You should have your incubator running for half a day to dial in temp and humidity. Once you put the eggs in the temp will drop and take a long time to get back, don't worry as you already know the thermostat is set correctly and wait it out.

Your incubator should be in a stable temperature room away from windows, solar heating. The temp your shooting for is 99.5F in an incubator with a fan. In still air incubators you measure temp at top of eggs and shoot for 101.5F.

If you don't have auto turners then use an egg carton. Makes turning the eggs easy and keeps the egg fat end up. I use a small block of wood on one side to tilt the carton then turn carton around so it's tilted other way to "turn" the eggs twice a day, once in morning and again 12 hours later at night.

Awesome info. Thanks.

I just took the eggs from the hen house this evening during a cold wind storm. Should I also put these fat end up?

New today to incubation. And I read the incubation guide in the geese forum, but, I just wasn't sure if it was the same.

How do I know what is the proper humidity for a mixed batch of chicken eggs?

It is a still air incubator. Styrofoam, with open vent holes.

Sorry, I'm a beginner, and I figured now is a good a time as any to start. And even though I've read and re-read, and done some research, I can't seem to get back to where I started with my info!

I do appreciate all the help.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Yeah, I always store my hatching eggs in old egg cartons fat end up. You can keep them that way for 2 weeks (tilting to "turn" twice a day) if you want but sounds like if you wanted a bigger batch it will only take you a few days. It really makes turning eggs easy with the block of wood or plastic lego's stacked up easy. Some people even let them hatch with eggs still in carton. I take mine out and lay on side day 18. Hatch on day 21.

Humidity is checked with a hygrometer. Digital read units will be temp/humidty combo. Cheaper ones can be gotten at Walmart. An inexpensive analog one can be gotten at a tobacco shop.

 

[subhanalah]

How are your hatch rates and the incidence of malpositions whilst only turning twice a day throughout incubation?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Unless something goes awry my hatch rates are around 85% turning only twice a day. Turning is important but some folks are too hung up on it. I love the saying that you MUST turn eggs an odd number of times a day. Cracks me up.

 

[lazy gardener]

I agree re: odd number. Has any body bothered to explain that to the broody hens????

 

[Joshua G]

I agree re: odd number. Has any body bothered to explain that to the broody hens????

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