Incubating questions

[nsanywhere]

OK...got the incubator up and running. I've only used it for chickens, and that was years ago. I've got 2 peahens and 1 peacock. They've started laying so I'd like to try incubating.

My incubator says 99 1/2 degrees for all eggs - ok for peas? need warmer?

Is it ok to keep the incubator in the garage, or should it be in the house? (more stable temp?)

How often do I fill the water?

How often do I turn the eggs (twice a day like chickens?)

Can I just write the date on the egg and put new ones in the incubator as I get them?

TIA for any advice!

 

[Choctaw Valley Farm]

We set eggs every 6 days, 99 degrees is fine keep water in it all the time 50 % humidity or more, turn your eggs 2 to 4 times a day, You can mark the eggs with a nontoxic pencil, Takes about 28 days to hatch. Now everyone does it different so you will be told lots of ways to do it, so you decide which is best for you.

Steve

 

[Pavo Royale]

I agree with Steve. I also hand turn my pea eggs according to marks, but I do not bother with this for other types of eggs (I just roll 'em around).

 

[nsanywhere]

thank you! few more questions:

how do you know humidity is at 50%? Is this the water level in the incubator, or do I need something similar to the temp thermometer?

What do you mean turn according to marks? As in a 1/4 turn each time? Always the same direction?

What do you do with the eggs before putting them in incubator? Do they need to be stored a certain way?

 

[Choctaw Valley Farm]

You will have to get a hygrometer that tells the humidity you may be able find it at Wal-mart, Radio Shack, or you can order them on line from www.cutlersupply.com some will also have a thermometer with it, We keep our eggs on egg flats room temp pointed end down, we have an automatic turner so I am not for sure how far you will have to turn them but if a hen was setting on them she would turn them anyway she can so I don't think it would matter which way they were turned, some say they just roll them around gently.

Also all the eggs you keep in the flat will have the same set and hatch day on them. (set date when you put them in the incubator, 28 days hatch date)

Steve

 

[Pavo Royale]

I put an X on one side of the egg and an O on the other with a pencil and then turn them 1/2 turn 3 to 4 times a day. I also turn them in the same manner before incubation at room temp, but I don't like them to sit more than 6 or 7 days like Steve. I got a cheap incubator that I use for a hatcher. That way, I can date my eggs (with the date to place in hatcher) and keep shoving them in and keep the humidity constant in both the hatcher and the incubator. Makes it a lot easier to incubate more than one species and keeps the bator somewhat clean. Good luck!

 

[deerman]

Yes mark egg X and O then all Xs up next time all Os up. I set eggs once a week, that way have eggs hatching once a week.

28 days to hatch, but for some reason people in southern states have their hatch on 26 days.......

 

[ccrawf]

I number my eggs or mark them in some way if you know which hen laid them, or what ever,
Then put an X on the other side. Still turn them so all the X's are up or all the numbers are up at the same time.
The numbers help me keep track of how many I've gotten and which one hatch, don't. Like my geese, 1-10 didn't hatch, and had another stretch that didn't develop.
Clay