Incubators Anonymous

[Faraday40]

There's nothing more cute than watching a mama with her chicks, but she will definitely teach them to be cautious. The one thing I'm not sure about, that I would be curious to know, is exactly how closely does the mama hatch her chicks to 21 days, and how long does her hatch really take? My incubator may hatch from day 19 to day 22. My broody just shows up one morning with her chicks

Last year my daughter set eggs in an incubator & under a broody on the same day & time. On day 19-20 we saw chicks & heard peeping under the broody. The incubator eggs hatched exactly on day 21. It was summer, so the outdoor temp could have been a factor. The incubator was inside an air conditioned house, so not all variables were controlled. Of course, DD's expanding on the idea in this year's project because one test does not make it a valid experiment.

Like you, I've had incubator eggs hatch on days 19-23. For me, once the 1st hatches, it's like popcorn for 24 hours. ie- If the 1st hatches on day 19, then the rest will usually be out before day 21.

 

[scflock]

Last year my daughter set eggs in an incubator & under a broody on the same day & time. On day 19-20 we saw chicks & heard peeping under the broody. The incubator eggs hatched exactly on day 21. It was summer, so the outdoor temp could have been a factor. The incubator was inside an air conditioned house, so not all variables were controlled. Of course, DD's expanding on the idea in this year's project because one test does not make it a valid experiment.

Like you, I've had incubator eggs hatch on days 19-23. For me, once the 1st hatches, it's like popcorn for 24 hours. ie- If the 1st hatches on day 19, then the rest will usually be out before day 21.

I'm also experiencing a much higher instance of problems in chicks hatched day 22 or later. It may be cold hearted, but I'm thinking I may start cleaning up on day 22

 

[PD-Riverman]

Congrats!

Does anyone use both broody hens & incubators?

33 broodies last season----most game hens----they hatched almost every egg under them with a little over 250 chicks total. I also use several incubators if needed--- some times just one---I have hatched in incubators around 2000 in the last few months.

 

[ccr chickens]

Hovabator starts this Sunday!

 

[Faraday40]

I'm also experiencing a much higher instance of problems in chicks hatched day 22 or later. It may be cold hearted, but I'm thinking I may start cleaning up on day 22

I think it would depend on when the 1st egg hatched. If nothing hatched until the night of day 21, then most of the activity would be done before the end of day 22. The whole clutch seems to hatch all at once. I've never really seen a chick hatch 3 days after everybody else, but I suppose it could. Unless there's a need for the incubator, I like to keep it going for about 72 hours after the 1st hatch. (The children always want more chicks to come out, so I let them hope. When they stop checking, I know it's time to pull the plug.)

 

[DMRippy]

Well I can say I am having the WEIRDEST hatch EVER! I had egg in lockdown that were Due Sunday. I think one or two hatch by monday. I candled the eggs and they were still moving but only a few internal pips..... Tuesday a few more hatched..... today a few more hatching and some still just pipped..... I don't know what happened but they were all set the same time. My temps must have been lower in the bator and I KNOW they were a little lower in the hatcher but still in the 90's should not have been 4 days of delay in hatching.

I will say most of the eggs are not looking too good so something happened bigger than just a temp drop..... IDK.

 

[Sswanee48]

Good luck Ladycat, Hope you get lots of babies!

 

[Sswanee48]

Hi ccr chickens, I hope you have as good a hatch as I got with my Hovabator. I have nothing to complain about with mine. I got 10 out of 12 eggs and would have had one more if I hadn't jumped the gun. It is work because you have to keep an eye on them but I enjoy it. It's exciting to me and worth it. It was really funny to me, I had gotten 3 dozen eggs from a man that had just gotten them fresh one day. I told him not to wash them and I went through and picked out 12 of the cleanest eggs and in the colors I wanted and every egg ended up being fertile. I have never put eggs in the incubator that had 100% fertility. I couldn't believe what good luck I had. I can't wait to see what my chicks will look like when they feather out. I have 4 that are gray and I'm really excited to see what they will look like.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I had egg in lockdown that were Due Sunday. I think one or two hatch by monday. I candled the eggs and they were still moving but only a few internal pips..... Tuesday a few more hatched..... today a few more hatching and some still just pipped..... I don't know what happened but they were all set the same time. My temps must have been lower in the bator and I KNOW they were a little lower in the hatcher but still in the 90's should not have been 4 days of delay in hatching.

I will say most of the eggs are not looking too good so something happened bigger than just a temp drop..... IDK.

First, when do you start counting your days--------the day you put them in the incubator or the next day/24hrs later as day 1?

Having 1 degree difference makes a difference in when your chicks will hatch------2 or 3 degree's makes Alot of difference and is not good for some/most of them.

I know you wanted to see what was happening in the eggs since they did not hatch on time and most people would, But In My Opinion opening the incubator to remove and light the eggs can/could create more problems---so alot was against them.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I'm also experiencing a much higher instance of problems in chicks hatched day 22 or later. It may be cold hearted, but I'm thinking I may start cleaning up on day 22

Just For Info for the ones that might not know----When it comes to incubating Day 1 starts 24hrs after you put them in the incubator---not the day you set them.

Are you using a still air incubator-----if so move the outer eggs to the middle every day if you are hand turning them---at least every couple days if you are using a turner till Lock-down. If about all your eggs are hatching late---increase your temp 1/2 degree for the next hatch and see how that goes.