Incubating and hatching eggs chat thread!!

[KaylorFarms]

I have hatched a bunch of refrigerated eggs. A couple of years ago, a breeder had horrible hatches with her incubator. She was then relying on her broody hen to hatch, but she kept breaking eggs, etc. So, I offered. When I came over to get the eggs from her, she pulled them out of the fridge with dates of about 3 wks prior. She was selling the fresher ones on eBay.

About 85% hatched.

Wow! Really?? I didn't know you could hatch refrigerated eggs!! I thought the cold killed it off or something

 

[KaylorFarms]

Just out of curiosity, what incubators do you all use?

 

[ChcknNurse]

Wow! Really?? I didn't know you could hatch refrigerated eggs!! I thought the cold killed it off or something

Not even slow-growers, no birth defects. Either they started and hatched or didn't.

 

[ChcknNurse]

Just out of curiosity, what incubators do you all use?

Brinsea Eco 20 x2 (1 with turner, 1 without). I love that these maintain temp so well. Also, if I'm not using the second as a hatcher, but straight incubating, I can turn the entire batch at once.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Wow! Really?? I didn't know you could hatch refrigerated eggs!! I thought the cold killed it off or something

If there's any freezing it will kill them.

Just out of curiosity, what incubators do you all use?

I use the Hovabator 1583. I love it!

 

[KaylorFarms]

Wow! Is there a way to make my own incubator and somehow control the humitidy? I heard the $25 one on ebay isn't any good.

 

[ChcknNurse]

If there's any freezing it will kill them.


She's right, freezing is a different story, of course. In fact, I've done start/stop/start incubating also. In two separate circumstances: first was eggs that were accidentally pulled from a broody quite far along, the second was eggs given to a friend in Maryland from under broodies. They were in various stages. I had to judge the date and move them to lockdown. I was late with one and it externally pipped (it was fine). I always planned on getting a hovabator too. But, if I did... I imagine I'd pack it with more eggs!! Lol


I use the Hovabator 1583. I love it!

 

[ChcknNurse]

I th

Wow! Is there a way to make my own incubator and somehow control the humitidy? I heard the $25 one on ebay isn't any good.

I think I saw a thread on making your own. I will probably do that one day.

 

[KaylorFarms]

Yeah, I would love to make my own! And buy some of trader joes eggs!! Lol!

 

[ChcknNurse]

Yeah, I would love to make my own! And buy some of trader joes eggs!! Lol!

Look at Whole Foods, too. Just look for "fertile" on the egg carton. Also, if you are at a farmers mkt, ask if there is a rooster over the hens. Craigslist is also a good option. Mine was Lavender English Orphington.