SpoiledHens
In the Brooder
Hi, I'm new to backyard chickens and am attempting to hatch some eggs for the first time from my backyard flock. The 22 hens I have include Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpintons, Golden Buffs, Easter Eggers, Silver Laced Wynadotte, Welsummers and Black Sex Link along with one Buff Orpinton Rooster.
I collected and selected 18 eggs over a 5 day period to Incubate and hopefully hatch. I spent countless hours scouring the internet and made my own homemade incubator. It's a small Styrofoam cooler type and I'm using 40 watt light bulbs for a heat source, a thermostat to regulate the heat and a homemade manual egg turner (made from egg cartons and pvc pipe) and an recycled 12v computer fan to circulate the air. The incubator is made to where I can turn the eggs from the outside and I can also fill the water reservoir from the outside so I never need to open the incubator.
As far as ventilation goes, I have 2 1/4 holes drilled in all four sides of the bator approximately 2 to 21/2 inches from he bottom. There are ( 3 ) 1/2 in vent holes in the top that I plug with the large (grey color) electrical connectors. I've run and tested the incubator for 3 days and it maintains 99 degrees with a humidity level ranging from 42 to 44 percent.
Three days ago I set 18 eggs and have been turning them approximately 5-6 times a day. The temp has been steady at 99 degrees and the humidity has ranged between 42 and 47 percent.
I'm starting into day 4 now and haven't opened the bator. I've recently read that opening the bator at least 1 time a day is good for fresh air echange.
Should I be opening and closing the bator daily (for a fresh exchange of air) which makes the temp and humidity fluctuate a little? or just leave it closed? I checked it during the testing process and once opened, it takes about 30 minutes to bounce back to 99 degrees and the mid 40's for the humidity level. Should I just wait to open the bator on day 7 or 8 when I plan to candle the eggs?
Any help or recommendations from folks with a lot more experience than me would be greatly appreciated.
I collected and selected 18 eggs over a 5 day period to Incubate and hopefully hatch. I spent countless hours scouring the internet and made my own homemade incubator. It's a small Styrofoam cooler type and I'm using 40 watt light bulbs for a heat source, a thermostat to regulate the heat and a homemade manual egg turner (made from egg cartons and pvc pipe) and an recycled 12v computer fan to circulate the air. The incubator is made to where I can turn the eggs from the outside and I can also fill the water reservoir from the outside so I never need to open the incubator.
As far as ventilation goes, I have 2 1/4 holes drilled in all four sides of the bator approximately 2 to 21/2 inches from he bottom. There are ( 3 ) 1/2 in vent holes in the top that I plug with the large (grey color) electrical connectors. I've run and tested the incubator for 3 days and it maintains 99 degrees with a humidity level ranging from 42 to 44 percent.
Three days ago I set 18 eggs and have been turning them approximately 5-6 times a day. The temp has been steady at 99 degrees and the humidity has ranged between 42 and 47 percent.
I'm starting into day 4 now and haven't opened the bator. I've recently read that opening the bator at least 1 time a day is good for fresh air echange.
Should I be opening and closing the bator daily (for a fresh exchange of air) which makes the temp and humidity fluctuate a little? or just leave it closed? I checked it during the testing process and once opened, it takes about 30 minutes to bounce back to 99 degrees and the mid 40's for the humidity level. Should I just wait to open the bator on day 7 or 8 when I plan to candle the eggs?
Any help or recommendations from folks with a lot more experience than me would be greatly appreciated.