I'm going to be hatching my first shipped eggs, and also my first time using an incubator. Advice?

[Sussex19]

I've ordered one of these incubators https://www.poultryaustralia.com.au/janoel-model-24-egg-incubator-for-sale and the eggs will be shipped ones it has arrived.
They are Golden Cuckoo Marans. Can anyone point me to some good articles, and any and all advise appreciated!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You would be hard pressed to find more information on the subject than exists in the following link, including on shipped eggs.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...thread-w-sally-sunshine-shipped-eggs.1137467/

I don't agree with the advice most people give on handling shipped eggs. That would be those who recommend letting the eggs rest upright for a few days before turning. It may be beneficial to let them rest for up to 12 hours the first day after they arrive but once incubation begins, that is the most critical time for turning - as frequently as possible for the first 2 weeks. Amniotic and chorionic membranes are fully developed by then.

Perhaps the most critical thing is a guaranteed accurate thermometer. Don't rely on the incubator reading just because it is new. It could easily be off.

 

[Sussex19]

You would be hard pressed to find more information on the subject than exists in the following link, including on shipped eggs.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...thread-w-sally-sunshine-shipped-eggs.1137467/

Thanks for the link!
There sure is a lot of info there, so much so that I'm feeling a little overwelled!
I understand about having second accurate thermometer, but where does one get one from? And how do you know if it is actually accurate?
And with humidity, it didn't really seem to give any guidelines, and I didn't quite understand how ones meant to know what humidity ones got?
Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Sussex19]

I understand about having second accurate thermometer, but where does one get one from? And how do you know if it is actually accurate?

@ChickenCanoe sorry to be a pain, but I haven't got any more responses and I really need to know if I need to buy another one or not. As its a bit of a rush to get the eggs before it gets to hot and I need to have everything set up before they can be posted.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is overwhelming info there, but the best way is to eat it like an elephant, one bite at a time.
You are not a pain and I'm sorry for responding late but I'm not on here every day.
If you have a single extra thermometer, the best way is to calibrate it.
Here is an article written by @aart that should be helpful.

For humidity, an easier and more accurate technique than measuring humidity is to weigh the eggs. Not all eggs need the same humidity. For example, some are more porous than others and therefor lose moisture faster. However, all eggs (regardless of species) should lose approximately 13-14% of their initial weight through the incubation process. A cheap but repeatable pocket gram scale is accurate enough to be more effective than using a hygrometer.
https://poultrykeeper.com/incubation-brooding/egg-incubation-weight-loss/

For new accurate thermometers, there are 3 I have found that are usually accurate out of the box. I don't know if any are available there but here they are in order from my least favorite to my most favorite.
https://www.amazon.com/Brinsea-BGB-.../B0099Y9SUQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

https://www.thermoworks.com/rt301wa/

https://us.govee.com/products/wi-fi-temperature-humidity-sensor?currency=USD&variant=37592920686777&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google Shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj7CZBhDHARIsAPPWv3cdxFi3NCmkcIf1FVcZrJy4JDfaWcNWfRFOUPqMLO-Usi546yxpJ-QaAmspEALw_wcB

The latter may be the most accurate and reports both temperature and humidity to your smartphone via bluetooth.

They may be available in AU via other sources but they are from Brinsea, Thermoworks and Govee.

 

[Sussex19]

It is overwhelming info there, but the best way is to eat it like an elephant, one bite at a time.
You are not a pain and I'm sorry for responding late but I'm not on here every day.
If you have a single extra thermometer, the best way is to calibrate it.
Here is an article written by @aart that should be helpful.

For humidity, an easier technique than measuring humidity is to weigh the eggs. Not all eggs need the same humidity. For example, some are more porous than others and therefor lose moisture faster. However, all eggs (regardless of species) should lose approximately 13-14% of their initial weight through the incubation process. A cheap but repeatable pocket gram scale is accurate enough to be more effective than using a hygrometer.
https://poultrykeeper.com/incubation-brooding/egg-incubation-weight-loss/

For new accurate thermometers, there are 3 I have found that are usually accurate out of the box. I don't know if any are available there but here they are in order from my least favorite to my most favorite.
https://www.amazon.com/Brinsea-BGB-.../B0099Y9SUQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

https://www.thermoworks.com/rt301wa/

https://us.govee.com/products/wi-fi-temperature-humidity-sensor?currency=USD&variant=37592920686777&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google Shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj7CZBhDHARIsAPPWv3cdxFi3NCmkcIf1FVcZrJy4JDfaWcNWfRFOUPqMLO-Usi546yxpJ-QaAmspEALw_wcB

The latter may be the most accurate and reports both temperature and humidity to your smartphone via bluetooth.

They may be available in AU via other sources but they are from Brinsea, Thermoworks and Govee.

Thanks very much!
Articles read and bookmarked.
One last question regarding humidity, is there a good base line humidity level to start off with, before I adjust it based on weights?
I had a look which thermometers are available, and both the first and last in your list are, and the last is actually cheaper, so one of them has been ordered!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That is blessed news.
I'm glad to hear you are able to get the Govee. It is from Switzerland so I thought you could. I won't go into my reservations with the Brinsea Spot Check.
There is much humidity information in the initial link I sent.
A baseline would be 30-40% the first 18 days for chickens and 55 or more the last 3 days.
That will vary based on your ambient humidity.
Understand that by the time you get the eggs, depending on how they are packed, will affect those numbers just because arid environments can suck moisture out of anything.
They will likely have lost at least 2% by the time they arrive.

 

[Sussex19]

That is blessed news.
I'm glad to hear you are able to get the Govee. It is from Switzerland so I thought you could. I won't go into my reservations with the Brinsea Spot Check.

Hopefully it will live up to expectations, and get in here good time, but its looking good and should arrive sometime next week.

There is much humidity information in the initial link I sent.
A baseline would be 30-40% the first 18 days for chickens and 55 or more the last 3 days.
That will vary based on your ambient humidity.
Understand that by the time you get the eggs, depending on how they are packed, will affect those numbers just because arid environments can suck moisture out of anything.
They will likely have lost at least 2% by the time they arrive.

Yes, and I read it all, although I will have to go back to it a fair bit! I just wanted to know roughly what will be wanted, so thanks for making that clear.
I'm very excited to be going to hatch eggs myself for the first time, and I really want some GCMs!

 

[Sussex19]

The incubator has arrived, and is heating up!
Something I'm slightly confused about is how to position the eggs.
Its got an automated turner, but as they are shipped eggs, does that want taking out for the first few days, and I turn them by hand? As they might be extra fragile? Or is it ok just to put them in? Also should they be on they sides, or pointed end down? I expect it says somewhere, but I couldn't find a conclusive answer.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Early frequent turning is critical. Use the turner.
You should always stand eggs with the large end (air pocket) up. Unless they are being stored longer than normal. That is a story for another day.