I got my bator...now what?

[chicksnducks]

I went to the chicken auction in Durant, OK last night and got a bator...egg turner included....now what should I do first?
I am starting to get the eggs together...my girls are laying about 8 a day...where should I keep them before I put them in the bator?
I am so excited and want to start NOW but I want to do it right.
It is a Little Giant 9200 still air ...The instructions show that a fan can be added. Do you think I should do that first?
thanks in advance for all the info. I have learned so much from this forum!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

You need to set your incubator up and getting it running at the right temps for a few days before setting eggs......if you want to add a turner now is the time to do it before thinking of a hatch....if not your going to be turning eggs 3 times a day for 18 days...

Keep your eggs on the counter in your kitchen or someplace where the temps stay at an even degree...not too cold not too hot....

 

[arlee453]

Add the fan if you can. It will help keep the temps more stable as the air circulates around the eggs.

Good luck!

 

[chicksnducks]

I am going to plug it in now. It has a thermometer. Do I need anything else? Is there supposed to be something to keep track of humidity?

 

[NewGuineaChooks]

Yes, keeping an eye on the humidity is helpful. Most of us have acquired hygrometers (humidity gauges) from various places to add to the incubators. I bought a cheap one from Walmart, which may not be very accurate, but gives a general idea. Some are sold in pet stores for reptile cages. Many people get a dual-purpose instrument that gives humidity AND a second temperature reading. That helps you know if your temp. is really accurate.

 

[Sharisr32]

I use two thermometers - after loosing a special group of eggs I found out the new thermometer was off two degrees
so I always use two- You will have to find out what works for you I no longer track humidity and have great hatches.
Ok I killed more then one special group of eggs -- ok I have killed more breeds then most hatcheries sell - I was an egg killer . Humidity needs vary hugely by state and town to town , House to house . I dry hatch and the chicks get out just fine no issues - no need to add water -
I personally have found the less ya mess the better it goes
with my LG- I have never used a fan or circulating air - but the new incubator I just bought has a fan -
hope you get a great hatch

 

[EweSheep]

Do not use the thermometers that comes with your incubator, those things are worthless and toss those in the garbage! I would buy those reptile digitial I think it called Fluckers and its great and had good hatches out of them!

 

[moonlitfarms]

Does anyone have a pic of the "probe" you use to put inside the water wiggler. This would help me better understand what I'm looking for.

 

[Katy]

Is it a used incubator? If it is, the first thing I would do is disinfect it!!

 

[chicksnducks]

It was not actually used to hatch but I would like to disinfect anyway. what should I use????