Incubator Noob! Any advice?

[Phoenixmama95]

I am planning on hatching chicks in October by incubating them. There is just one problem. i don't know how. I have read some posts about dry incubation and some where you add water to something but i really don't quite understand what you are supposed to do

If somebody could explain it to me using small words and to the point sentences I think my brain could comprehend things much easier. I really want to hatch chickies! I just need someone to guide me and tell me how.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Step 1. Read this. It should help.

Texas A&M Incubation site
http://gallus.tamu.edu/library/extpublications/b6092.pdf

Step 2. Get an incubator.

Step 3. Read the instructions that come with the incubator.

Step 4. Do what the instructions say.

Step 5. Don't sweat the small stuff. You will probably get a whole lot of different people giving a whole lot of conflicting advice, telling you that you have to do something one specific way or the world as you know it will end. If you don't do it that way, the world will not end. There are a lot of different things that work with different incubators and in different circumstances. Some things work for some people and not for others. Try it one way, be consistent, and analyze the results. If you need to change something next time, then adjust.

It's not really that hard or complicated.

Good luck!!!!

 

[Phoenixmama95]

Thank you so much!

If I made an incubator would I get the same results as a bought one?

 

[Ridgerunner]

It depends on how you make your incubator. If you can make one where you can keep the temperature fairly constant and in the right range, control the humidity, allow fresh air, and turn the eggs (whether by hand or by some device) you can make an incubator that will work fine. This is a link to the Learning Center on this forum. You can see what others have done.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/homemade-chicken-egg-incubator-designs-pictures

 

[cochins1088]

I bought a cheap syrofoam Hova Bator incubator for about $30, no fan, and no egg turner. For my first hatch, I followed the instructions and out of 20 eggs, 19 hatched. And I have had great hatch rates ever since. So you really don't need to go all out and buy all the extras. For your first hatch, you may want to go this way, since you have the simple instructions and the "how to", the first hatch always requires the most patience but it gets easier with experience and there are plenty of people on here ready to help.