Incubation Temerature & Humidity Is IMPORTANT, Trust Me. From Dayton Sales

[Heme]

Dear Friends: I experimented recently with Temperature Control on TWO separate broods. The Humidity level must be controlled properly because over humid conditions are as bad as under humid conditions.

The Hen when sitting not only maintains the proper body temperature for her eggs, but she releases moisture from her skin which is absorbed by her feathers and together with the moisture in the air, the egg shells will not dehydrate. The AIR sack is needed for the chick to breath and is dependent on porous shell (minute holes) elements for absorption.

If the shell is dry, the cells contract and starve the embryo of oxygen. When using an Incubator it is advisable to maintain at least 45-55 percentage of moisture (higher the last 3 days), However; to so means lifting the cover which cools the eggs and lets out what moisture there was surrounding the eggs.

SOLUTION: Since most 48 egg style incubators are made of foam, the process is easy. Take a 2 or 3 foot length of fish-tank air line/tubing ($1.00) mark the front cover where you want the line to slip under so the lid when closed is tight. Press a pen or pencil into the foam creating a small indent. Take the plastic tube and slip it under the mesh screen just over the water retention well on the bottom of the incubator. Replace the cover and press down firmly to make the top fit snuggly and evenly on the lower half. The tube will not be disturbed as it sits in a furrow with one end sticking out the front and the other hovering over the water well. Obtain a 20/30/ or 50 CC syringe (I use a 50CC) and suck up water within the syringe. Stick it on the end facing you and press the contents into the tubing and on into the water well. That should last a few days, so watch the hydrometer and when it drops, refill when appropriate.

Heat Control: If you are seeking Males for larger birds and meat production the temperature of 95 degree for the incubation period should be maintained. If you want Hens, then use the 99.5-100 degree range. Good Luck From Dayton, TN. Lauren

 

[lightchick]

I love the advice. Especially the part about getting more hens or roos.

 

[galliniux]

Amazing. I didn't know sex depends on temperature.
thanks!

 

[Lizz9311]

Heat Control: If you are seeking Males for larger birds and meat production the temperature of 95 degree for the incubation period should be maintained. If you want Hens, then use the 99.5-100 degree range. Good Luck From Dayton, TN. Lauren

I've read elsewhere that the temperature range doesn't so much determine sex as it encourages those eggs carrying the sexes you seek to have better hatch rates and the others to have a higher fail rate.

Personally, I find the thought odd that sex can be "maniuplated" like that. I may be wrong, but I view it a lot like how a human baby's sex is determined.... the moment sperm meets egg. Anything after that is useless.

 

[Kathryn173]

I also thought the temp thing was different. I thought the more incorrect the temp the less males would survive, the females should do better in those incorrect conditions. I also read that there were 100% of females and 104% of males conceived so that the extra 4% of the males would be the ones that had problems and didn't survive. It wasn't just in chickens but other species and humans.
I don't know how true this is but i was thinkijg

 

[Kathryn173]

Whoops...meant to add I thought I was getting too many roos and wondered if there was a reason so I did some research and that's what I found.

 

[Heme]

In reading documentation on cellular migration during embryonic maturity, the experts seem to lean toward temperature as a means to determine the sex of life. It very well could be relative to humans and other creatures as well.

My own experiments when incubating chicken eggs lined up with the scientific reports I read.

TWO things that I also found contrary to what I was told by some on this blog; were; One...place Clean eggs in the incubator and that was wrong. Simply take Dry fresh to five day old fertilized eggs and dust them off or remove caked on debris; but Do Not Wash them. Washing removes the Protective barrier on the shell that prevents diseases from penetrating the shell. TWO...leave the eggs in the egg turner for 19 days and don't worry about candling as they either hatch or they do not. Here is what works!

Gather up to 48 eggs or less for a foam air circulated incubator. Let them all sit for 24 hours at rest at room temperature 68-75 degrees. Don't wash; but DO...carefully drop each egg into a glass of water and any that FLOAT toss out. Keep only the ones that stay down. This increases the change of success. Do Not Wash or Rub Dry, let them air dry and when ready, place them with the larger dome facing up. The reason for leaving them alone for the 19 days is two fold, they do not have a humidity change that effects the moisture content of the eggs. Second; and very important, TEMPERATURE fluctuations. Changes in temperature from 99.5 to room temp or colder can effect timing and other changes during the maturing process. Most hens tend to sit most of the time, except to get a quick breakfast, drink, and dump. Then in some cases Other Hens may sit on eggs in her place.

DO....clean the incubator well after each clutch has been produced and again prior to using it again. Use insecticide soap or egg wash and start up as usual. Hope my blog has been of use. Lauren