Incubators Anonymous

[SewChaos]

I understand your question. I count every chick that emerges alive. My point is that counting eggs making it to lockdown isn't representative of hatch rate since they haven't actually hatched yet, and not all of them do.

Sew, I like the idea of waiting 24 hrs for any I have to cull, but honestly, I would forget. So I mark it by how many hatched.

I've only got one incubator, and no hatcher, so right now, I can keep track of how many died/culled. I'm trying to track my costs per chick, so I can determine if it is actually cheaper than ordering chicks.

 

[ki4got]

ok, try #2 from mcmurray... same chicks, same address... same results. no chicks as of today. they shipped saturday so it's doubtful any are still kicking.

 

[bellaleah]

hi everyone,
me and my family would like to raise a few hens. i have two daughters who have never had any experience with this, nor do i. we have been thinking of incubating them so they can get the full flavor of the whole process, they are 8 and 7 years old. but then it just came to me, i would have no control over whether we were going to get roosters, too. so, what to do? what do people do when they get a rooster, or maybe 7? i just joined this site yesterday and was reading what you all wrote and thought i would ask. thanks so much. i would really just like to have around 6 hens or so, we homeschool the girls and they are very excited to do this. maybe they will learn how to do chores? haha!

 

[DMRippy]

hi everyone,
me and my family would like to raise a few hens. i have two daughters who have never had any experience with this, nor do i. we have been thinking of incubating them so they can get the full flavor of the whole process, they are 8 and 7 years old. but then it just came to me, i would have no control over whether we were going to get roosters, too. so, what to do? what do people do when they get a rooster, or maybe 7? i just joined this site yesterday and was reading what you all wrote and thought i would ask. thanks so much. i would really just like to have around 6 hens or so, we homeschool the girls and they are very excited to do this. maybe they will learn how to do chores? haha!

Do you live where you can't have roos? If so I would just order some pullets or pick them up at the feed store. Roos can be harder to get rid of and they are expensive to grow out to process. I personally have several roo guys. I can sell the day old roos for $.50 (sex links I can sex at hatch by spots on the heads) The older ones I can't sex at hatch, will also go to the roo guy. Day old chicks are as fun as hatching. If you have never hatched and you have to get shipped eggs, it can be trying on your nerves and expensive (incubator and eggs would make expensive chicks). Hatch rates would be lower on shipped eggs and it can take some practice to get hatching down. Good luck with the CHORES

 

[Cknldy]

Hatching egg question- when collecting for incubation how often do you turn them until are ready to put in incubator?

 

[DMRippy]

Hatching egg question- when collecting for incubation how often do you turn them until are ready to put in incubator?

I never turn them. I don't see the point. The turning is to keep the chick from sticking to the shell.... there is no chick in the eggs till you set them. JMHO..... I have 100% hatches often and 85%-95% are the Norm at my farm with my eggs.

 

[krazykat0373]

ok, try #2 from mcmurray... same chicks, same address... same results. no chicks as of today. they shipped saturday so it's doubtful any are still kicking.

good gravy!! Maybe a different hatchery or a backyard breeder would be better for you......unless its the PO messing it up.

 

[krazykat0373]

I have an extra turner that I store mine in...keeps em moving until I get ready to set them.

 

[ki4got]

Quote: no, they're sending them out on time, it's the PO that can't seem to find it's butt with both hands.

 

[krazykat0373]

meet moe! named after moe off the three stooges, cause that was the first thing that popped into my head when it hatched, same bowl cut....lol!
moe is a cross between my white NN hen and my Rhode Island red roo. Wasn't sure I would get a NN out of that cross but it happened...