incubation help needed asap!

[lynnrobyn86]

This is my first year to try my hand at raising chickens. I just purchased a Hova Bator with the turner. When do I need to plan on putting my eggs in so I have chickens old enough to put out in my coop this spring/summer? Is there a place that us recommended above others for ordering fertile eggs?

 

[AmericanMom]

This is my first year to try my hand at raising chickens. I just purchased a Hova Bator with the turner. When do I need to plan on putting my eggs in so I have chickens old enough to put out in my coop this spring/summer? Is there a place that us recommended above others for ordering fertile eggs?

I have eggs in now that are on day 10 of incubation, when they hatch I will put them in a home made brooder that's set up on my back porch for 2 weeks then move them out to the grow out coop with a heat lamp, when they are around 2 months old I open there fence and let them free range with the adults and by the time they are three months they go to the big coop with everyone else. This is the way I did it last time and so I plan to keep doing it that way.. the ones I have in the bator now will be layers by July.

Our grow out coop runs along side the adults coop, babies can see the adults, adults can see and hear the babies but cannot get to them so they are used to each other when I start letting them hang together. I have over 1/2 acre that my chickens free range so there is plenty of room for everyone.

 

[lynnrobyn86]

This is my first year to try my hand at raising chickens. I just purchased a Hova Bator with the turner. When do I need to plan on putting my eggs in so I have chickens old enough to put out in my coop this spring/summer? Is there a place that us recommended above others for ordering fertile eggs?

 

[lynnrobyn86]

I have eggs in now that are on day 10 of incubation, when they hatch I will put them in a home made brooder that's set up on my back porch for 2 weeks then move them out to the grow out coop with a heat lamp, when they are around 2 months old I open there fence and let them free range with the adults and by the time they are three months they go to HOVA-BATOR INCUBATOR AND EGG TURNER TABLE big coop with everyone else. This is the way I did it last time and so I plan to keep doing it that way.. the ones I have in the bator now will be layers by July.

Our grow out coop runs along side the adults coop, babies can see the adults, adults can see and hear the babies but cannot get to them so they are used to each other when I start letting them hang together. I have over 1/2 acre that my chickens free range so there is plenty of room for everyone.

I currently do not have any chickens and live in Indiana so it is cold AMD snowy here until about April. My fear is having them too early and not having anywhere to put them. Incubation takes approx. 21 days right? I should probably wait 1 more month before I start? I have a brooding box but will mot have a coop until its mice enough for my husband to build it.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

i have eggs in my incubator and babies in the pole barn. running out of room. heat lamps are at full blast. been trying to finish my run in between the bitter cold. my babies have been ready to go out for a while. also waiting for a break in the weather.

 

[AmericanMom]

I currently do not have any chickens and live in Indiana so it is cold AMD snowy here until about April. My fear is having them too early and not having anywhere to put them. Incubation takes approx. 21 days right? I should probably wait 1 more month before I start? I have a brooding box but will mot have a coop until its mice enough for my husband to build it.

It would depend on how big your brooder box is...chicks grow fast and need room or else they will start pecking each other and fighting...Im not sure of the dimensions but 20 chicks fit in it comfortably... but only for a few weeks ... and yes, Incubation take 21 days give or take a day or two....

 

[AmericanMom]

lso...here in Oregon our summers don't really start until last of June... We have been known to freeze the first of June..no always but it does happen..

 

[BLT79]

Today is my lockdown day!!! I am wondering, since I have to take both air plugs out, what if the humidity drops? I am going to get it up to 90%, but I am just wondering ahead of time, what do I do if it drops over the next 3 days? Also, if no eggs hatch on day 21, how long past that 21 days do I let them incubate? thanks all!

 

[Bens-Hens]

If the two channels don't maintain the right humidity, you can add damp paper towel, or even better a clean cloth.sponge. This will increase the surface area and the humidity goes up.

As for how long to wait it depends on what happens. If there are eggs moving while you watch, don't open it up. If nothing is seen or heard after day 23 I would candle and check for movement. If any pip, zip or hatch, keep the lid closed until the last one is dry, then candle what ever is left before discarding any late failures.

At this point, your eggs should look pretty much solid black except for the big end where the air cell is.

Stop turning, hands off, only touch it to increase the humidity if required, but normally both water channels is enough.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Today is my lockdown day!!! I am wondering, since I have to take both air plugs out, what if the humidity drops? I am going to get it up to 90%, but I am just wondering ahead of time, what do I do if it drops over the next 3 days? Also, if no eggs hatch on day 21, how long past that 21 days do I let them incubate? thanks all!

90% is a little high from my understanding 70% is fine at hatch. my bator has 3 places for water, 2 little ones i use during the first days and the bigger one at lock down.