Incubators Anonymous

[Nanna34]

I went to check on the eggs this morning and the egg I mentioned was oozing brown liquid I removed it immediately, it does not smell but I do not want to take chances.

 

[Nanna34]

Just found out my sisters kids were messing with the eggs for the past two days while I was at work, I am livid. Should I candle and check the other eggs or just wait and see if any of them hatch? Is there anything I should do, just worried the bad egg affected the other eggs?

 

[lazy gardener]

Yep, I'd be beyond mad! How far along are they? What did the kids do to them? Did they mess with the thermostat?

 

[Nanna34]

Yep, I'd be beyond mad! How far along are they? What did the kids do to them? Did they mess with the thermostat?

I'm on day 20 the eggs were supposed to be in lockdown

... they picked up the eggs to look at them.

I'm going to wait it out and see if the other chicks made it, poor chick I'm going to open the egg when I get home to see how far along it was. I saw it kicking on day 18 they must have disturbed it as it was preparing to pip.

I do have 8 silkie eggs that will go next and I'll take a few more eggs from my Australorp hens to try again.

 

[MinnesotaNice]

In all my styrofoam incubating---I only use the smaller water tray for the first 18 days----using the larger during the first 18 days would cause my Humidity to be to high.

Also there is nothing wrong with opening the incubator for a few minuted each day for the first 18 days----I feel like it even helps----like the hen getting off the nest to eat etc.

I also feel the factory added the vent holes that your tubes have blocked for a reason----so I do not block them. If I wanted to leave the tubes in place "I" would drill a extra hole in a "better" location. I just stick a flex-straw in the big hole to add water during the lock down---removing the straw after finishing. Good Luck

Many good points! I'll drill two additional holes and feed tubes in through them - one in the smaller tray and one in the larger tray for when I need to get my humidity back up. I've been maintaining it around 35%.

I only have one of the larger vent holes open. Should I wait until I see the first chick to open the second?

 

[MinnesotaNice]

@PD-Riverman , I just ran across our earlier discussion when you said one vent out the first 18 days, then both for the lockdown

 

[PD-Riverman]

Many good points! I'll drill two additional holes and feed tubes in through them - one in the smaller tray and one in the larger tray for when I need to get my humidity back up. I've been maintaining it around 35%.

I only have one of the larger vent holes open. Should I wait until I see the first chick to open the second?

This is what I do, I have only 1 vent plug removed the 1st 18 days, then I increase the amount of water surface and remove the second vent plug(lock-down)-----then I add water when needed with a flex straw. I then leave the chicks /eggs/incubator alone till they all hatch or day 22----if they do not all hatch I open on day 22 and remove hatched chicks---help if some needs some assistance----close back for another day. I am NOT saying this is The ONLY and Best way to incubate-----its just what I do and I have real good hatch % rates. You will need to learn what is best for your area. Good Luck!

 

[MinnesotaNice]

This is what I do, I have only 1 vent plug removed the 1st 18 days, then I increase the amount of water surface and remove the second vent plug(lock-down)-----then I add water when needed with a flex straw. I then leave the chicks /eggs/incubator alone till they all hatch or day 22----if they do not all hatch I open on day 22 and remove hatched chicks---help if some needs some assistance----close back for another day. I am NOT saying this is The ONLY and Best way to incubate-----its just what I do and I have real good hatch % rates. You will need to learn what is best for your area. Good Luck!

Thanks for all of the great information! Much appreciated!

 

[Free Feather]

I'm on day 20 the eggs were supposed to be in lockdown

... they picked up the eggs to look at them.

I'm going to wait it out and see if the other chicks made it, poor chick I'm going to open the egg when I get home to see how far along it was. I saw it kicking on day 18 they must have disturbed it as it was preparing to pip.

I do have 8 silkie eggs that will go next and I'll take a few more eggs from my Australorp hens to try again.

How are the eggs doing?

 

[Kelsykin]

Shipped eggs. Do I let them sit for 24 or 48 hours upon arrival before putting in the bator?