Incubator Smell... Normal?

[aprophet]

my last 5-7 hatches have been quail no smell at all the hatch going on right now is chukars they smell like crabs that have been in the sun for 3 days LOL they did'nt start smelling till they started coming out

 

[Kedreeva]

It might be the water, but I would think that it would smell before the last week if that was it. I will try the filtered water from my fridge and see if that changes anything. It doesn't really smell like infection or bad eggs, though.

I'm glad other people smell this too. I'm also glad that it's contained mostly in my closet area now.

And strange, that other birds smell differently- the chukar smell certainly sounds terrible! My cheeps definitely smelled of chicken and cooked eggs when they hatched the first and second times, but it was before the hatch that they smelled.... different.

 

[darkmatter]

Mrs. Feathers :

Interesting...do you dilute the hydrogen peroxide or use it as it comes from the bottle? Our tap water is pretty good but sitting in a warm bator can certainly encourage stuff to grow if it is there. I might just give that a try next hatch. I have heard of people using diluted bleach but I personally don`t want to have the fumes with my eggs...

Nope, I don't dilute it any further, after all its 97% H2O. A 99 cent bottle from wally-world will last the whole incubation period of either 21 chicken or 28 guinea eggs. I have guinea eggs now within 3 days of hatch and the bottle is still 1/3 full. I just looked and it looks like I might have a early pip on one of the guinea eggs. Been doing it for years now since after my first hatch in the Styrofoam Hovabator went well, the second one didn't do so good with a bacterial bloom. Being a Nuclear Chemist as my background I knew I wanted a disinfectant that wouldn't harm embryos. The 3% Hydrogen Peroxide is perfect-- it evaporates at the same rate as plain water, prevents the bacterial slime that prevents evaporation and causes bad hatches, plus when Hydrogen Peroxide decomposes, it only releases an extra Oxygen, nothing harmful at that concentration.​

 

[SarahIrl]

Warm humid eggs DO have a smell. Plus, if there is any odours left over from the last hatch, they will get really strong in the next one. Please don't think I'm suggesting you haven't cleaned it well! I use a solution I got from my sister (a vet) that kills all bacteria, moulds and yeasts. They use it to sterilise the clinic and theater, and it is even used against airborne bacterias and viruses. It's fab. I spray it all over the bator, lid included, rinse out eh bottom and trays and let it dry in the sun outside. The pack it up and put it in a sealed box until next time. I use water from the kettle, cooled, like for a babies formula bottle. I have well water too, so it's untreated and while absolutely YUMMY I wouldn't put it in a bacteria haven like an incubator straight from the tap, especially the hot tap.

Edit: for darkmatter - what's your view on the use of formalin? I have some 30%, also from my sister, as a post hatch cleaning agent, it says (in the bator instructions) to put some in the bator and bring it up to temp after hatch is done and a basic clean with water has been completed. Am a bit wary of using it, how long will it take to dissipate, and do I really need to have something so toxic around?

 

[darkmatter]

Quote:
Formaldehyde (systematic name: methanal) is an organic compound with the formula CH2O. As the simplest aldehyde, it is an important precursor to many other chemical compounds, especially for polymers. In 2005, annual world production of formaldehyde was estimated to be 21 million tonnes (46 billion pounds). In view of its widespread use, toxicity and volatility, exposure to formaldehyde is a significant consideration for human health.

I wouldn't have it in my house, have you heard of sick house when a new carpet is installed? It's the Formaldehyde off gassing from the new carpet. It's also embalming fluid. Dangerous to have around, you're just asking for a incident.

 

[Mrs. Feathers]

Quote:
Nope, I don't dilute it any further, after all its 97% H2O. A 99 cent bottle from wally-world will last the whole incubation period of either 21 chicken or 28 guinea eggs. I have guinea eggs now within 3 days of hatch and the bottle is still 1/3 full. I just looked and it looks like I might have a early pip on one of the guinea eggs. Been doing it for years now since after my first hatch in the Styrofoam Hovabator went well, the second one didn't do so good with a bacterial bloom. Being a Nuclear Chemist as my background I knew I wanted a disinfectant that wouldn't harm embryos. The 3% Hydrogen Peroxide is perfect-- it evaporates at the same rate as plain water, prevents the bacterial slime that prevents evaporation and causes bad hatches, plus when Hydrogen Peroxide decomposes, it only releases an extra Oxygen, nothing harmful at that concentration.

Thanks for the tip...I am going to use it for my next hatch. The other benefit I imagine is that it will help keep things clean during and after the hatch when all the muck is flying about in the bator??
I had a bacterial bloom a few hatches ago in my first hatch after not hatching for many years. Only gave the bator a quick cleaning because it had not been used for 8 years. Silly me now knows to always give it a good cleaning...strong little organisms those little bacteria buggers! oh the lessons we learn.

 

[SarahIrl]

darkmatter - gow can I safely dispose of the 20ml or so I have in a specimin jar in the outhouse?

 

[BillyKoda]

My first hatch today right on schedule but a very strong odor, I hope things are well? I'm letting the hen do the work.

This place is an amazing source of information and I thank you all!!

 

[Butterflygirl50]

I have six hatched chicks in my incubator but the smell coming from it is just AWFUL! I hope the chicks are healthy.

 

[Andypandy]

My jn12 has that new plastic smell .will this harm the chicks ..?