incubator for christmas

[digbychris]

Hi all! I received a magicfly incubator and candler for Christmas, and can't wait to get started. I have never incubated or hatched before, so I have a few questions if yall don't mind?
My roosters and hens are approximately 4 years old, and I have one rooster to about 16 hens, not all of which are laying anymore. So I'll see if the old boys still firing or not, I know he tries lol. So I know I may not get success right off the bat, and that's ok.
My first question is that I get 1-3 eggs a day right now. Is there an issue with putting a few in at a time, maybe 3 one day, and a few in the next day or two? The incubator says it will hold a dozen at a time. Is it safe to mark them somehow, like with a marker or pen to denote the date?
Also, what are the real life experiences of buying and shipping fertilized eggs? I don't like this option a, because its very pricey and b, I read very mixed experiences as to hatching rate, arriving unbroken, etc.
For the record, I DO NOT wash them before putting them in the incubator, correct?
Oh! Also, with this cold snap we're having here, is there a problem with eggs that have been in the coop for possibly several hours?
thanks!

 

[Welshies]

approximately 4 years old, and I have one rooster to about 16 hens
My first question is that I get 1-3 eggs a day right now. Is there an issue with putting a few in at a time, maybe 3 one day, and a few in the next day or so?
thanks!

1 rooster to 16 hens? You won't get many fertile eggs from that! it's about 1 rooster for every 5-8 hens!
Second of all, NOOO NO NO DO NOT DO THIS! It creates a staggered hatch!!! Your chicks will NOT be the same age and this can result in bullying, stunted growth, suffocation even (as larger chicks crowd the heat lamp trampling smaller ones).
If you want to save eggs, store them at room temperature, turn and shuffle them each day once a day, until you put them in the incubator.
If the temps are below freezing you can't hatch eggs you've collected- the chicks inside are dead.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Congratulations!
All your questions will be answered by reading the first couple pages of the following thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-sunshine-hosts-bantychooks-and-more.1137467/
The rooster/hen ratio may be a little high. For the time being, open some eggs and look for the blastoderm/blastodisc to check fertility.
You don't want to set every couple days. Staggered hatches lead to problems. It can be done but not advisable.
Just collect the eggs till you get a dozen. You can store them for up to a week to 10 days before setting.
You can mark them with a pencil but I use an ultra fine marker because they're too dark to see the pencil.
As long as the eggs aren't frozen it's ok.
Only wash them if they're real dirty.

 

[digbychris]

1 rooster to 16 hens? You won't get many fertile eggs from that! it's about 1 rooster for every 5-8 hens!
Second of all, NOOO NO NO DO NOT DO THIS! It creates a staggered hatch!!! Your chicks will NOT be the same age and this can result in bullying, stunted growth, suffocation even (as larger chicks crowd the heat lamp trampling smaller ones).
If you want to save eggs, store them at room temperature, turn and shuffle them each day once a day, until you put them in the incubator.
If the temps are below freezing you can't hatch eggs you've collected- the chicks inside are dead.

Ok, thanks! Yes, I know about the rooster to hen ratio. Up to now I've only used them for eggs, and the last purchase I bought straight run and only got one rooster. So, its too late to bring in another one, if I keep that rooster.
Good to know about the temps, its def below freezing in the coop, so I may have to wait until spring! ugh!

 

[digbychris]

Congratulations!
All your questions will be answered by reading the first couple pages of the following thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-sunshine-hosts-bantychooks-and-more.1137467/
The rooster/hen ratio may be a little high. For the time being open some eggs and look for the blastoderm/blastodisc.
You don't want to set every couple days. Staggered hatches lead to problems.
Just collect the eggs till you get a dozen. You can store them for up to a week to 10 days before setting.
You can mark them with a pencil but I use a ultra fine marker because they're too dark to see the pencil.
As long as the eggs aren't frozen it's ok.
Only wash them if they're real dirty.

Thanks! so a week to 10 days at room temperature? As for dirty, you mean remove excess waste matter?

 

[Welshies]

If they are dirty wash with room temp water
Some collect non-frozen eggs in winter and incubate them but I advise not to because of the drastic temp change. However, we get -30 to -40 degree temps here so it is impossible for me.
With the right storage you can store hatching eggs for up to 4 weeks, but the longer you store them the less successful the hatch.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Hi all! I received a magicfly incubator and candler for Christmas, and can't wait to get started. I have never incubated or hatched before, so I have a few questions if yall don't mind?
My roosters and hens are approximately 4 years old, and I have one rooster to about 16 hens, not all of which are laying anymore. So I'll see if the old boys still firing or not, I know he tries lol. So I know I may not get success right off the bat, and that's ok.
My first question is that I get 1-3 eggs a day right now. Is there an issue with putting a few in at a time, maybe 3 one day, and a few in the next day or two? The incubator says it will hold a dozen at a time. Is it safe to mark them somehow, like with a marker or pen to denote the date?
Also, what are the real life experiences of buying and shipping fertilized eggs? I don't like this option a, because its very pricey and b, I read very mixed experiences as to hatching rate, arriving unbroken, etc.
For the record, I DO NOT wash them before putting them in the incubator, correct?
Oh! Also, with this cold snap we're having here, is there a problem with eggs that have been in the coop for possibly several hours?
thanks!

No, you dont wash them but you want fairly clean eggs . What are your temps there ? If you gather early and often you can incubate but keep in mind fertility drops some in the winter. What you want to do is gather them in an egg carton and stick them in a cool area of your house 55 degrees is ideal. turn them 2xs a day until you get how many you want then give it a go. I use pencil to mark on my eggs .

 

[digbychris]

No, you dont wash them but you want fairly clean eggs . What are your temps there ? If you gather early and often you can incubate but keep in mind fertility drops some in the winter. What you want to do is gather them in an egg carton and stick them in a cool area of your house 55 degrees is ideal. turn them 2xs a day until you get how many you want then give it a go. I use pencil to mark on my eggs .

My coop temp is probably around 10-15 degrees, outside temps closer to zero without wind chill. My eggs aren't frozen when I collect them. Thank you for the info, I can keep them in my cool basement and turn them until I get 6-8 for my first attempt!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thanks! so a week to 10 days at room temperature? As for dirty, you mean remove excess waste matter?

Cooler than room temperature if possible. And ideally a place with high humidity.
Yes, waste matter. Sometimes it can just be brushed off.
Ideally, keep your nest boxes very clean with fresh bedding. Muddy weather is a problem.
If you must wash them, the water needs to be at least 20F warmer than the eggs. Otherwise bacteria could be drawn into the shell.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

absolutely and if this batch isnt fertile that dont mean later eggs wont be. I dislike shipped eggs as they come with their own set of problems but if you check your state thread out here you may find someone with hatching eggs within driving distance . When I incubate in the winter I would listen for that egg song from my hens and run out there to claim my prize. LOL They also make dandy hand warmers when you are out doing chores.