Incubators Anonymous

[maryhysong]

I don't have a head count yet but looks like most eggs have hatched with a few still working on it. Did take out the 4 ducklings; they were a little cramped in the hatch baskets.

 

[ozexpat]

So, I am in Florida visiting my daughter and I am driving down the road and I see a big flashing sign that says 37.99 and I am thinking, "Wow, that is a good incubator setting" and "Why are they putting their incubator settings on that sign?" and then I realize they are actually advertising their motel rates! ahahhahaha.....Always thinking in turns of chickens! I guess I am chicken obsessed!

 

[shicks0211]

found 3 more eggs in the lake..threw them in the bator while i have room..have 7 cuyoga eggs on day number 4..nice veins already showing..waiting on 10 mandarins, 3 bahama pin tails and 12 Call that i won on franks trade. Oh my..already my hubby is like..ummm...where will they all fit..stop hatching eggs..but i can't..must...have...more...babies.. lol

 

[Zootopia]

I don't have a head count yet but looks like most eggs have hatched with a few still working on it. Did take out the 4 ducklings; they were a little cramped in the hatch baskets.

Aww, so cute. What kind are they?

 

[Zootopia]

found 3 more eggs in the lake..threw them in the bator while i have room..have 7 cuyoga eggs on day number 4..nice veins already showing..waiting on 10 mandarins, 3 bahama pin tails and 12 Call that i won on franks trade.  Oh my..already my hubby is like..ummm...where will they all fit..stop hatching eggs..but i can't..must...have...more...babies..  lol

You found eggs IN the lake? Don't they drown?

 

[PECULIARPETE]

K incubator addicts, pls tell me if I'm doing this right. I am on day 7, first time setting eggs. I am using an LG still air with temps usually between 100.3 and 101. I was aiming for 101-101.5 but was not able to keep as stable. I am using two new digital themo/hygrometers and an old fashioned outdoor thermometer just for back up. I am basing reading off of the outdoor probe of the more expensive thermometer placed at ht of egg top. I as using probe temp as it lines up with the other two more accurately and the indoor temp of the same thermometer reads lower. I am measuring egg air cells and weighing eggs. Humidity low 50s on one high 40s reading on other thermometer. Any advice very appreciated.  

 

I'm pretty sure that still air incubators run at about 102. Anything higher than 103 will cook your eggs. I've used a small PC fan with a phone charger. But I found a universal power supply that ranges from 4.5vdc output up to 12vdc. That can be used to change fan speeds. I think you'll have better results maintaing 99.5, and humidity around 60%, it'll rise to about 70% the closer to hatch day. Typically I look for a wet bulb temp about 85degrees. A shallow pan for water, or even a couple smaller pans lined with a paper towel will have more surface area to wick away and increase evaporation. Wet down the paper towel without submergeing it. Then use ur vents to regulate. It's easier to let air out of a ballon, then to blow it up with it falling too low.

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

So I feel terrible. This is my third time trying to hatch eggs, some mine some I bought, and so far it looks like nothing again! Last year I had no problem hatching eggs but now nothing is working. It's a homemade incubator with a fan. Temps are 99-100. Humidity is 20-30.

 

[Zootopia]

W

So I feel terrible. This is my third time trying to hatch eggs, some mine some I bought, and so far it looks like nothing again! Last year I had no problem hatching eggs but now nothing is working. It's a homemade incubator with a fan. Temps are 99-100. Humidity is 20-30.

Wow, thats what rorks for me. Might try disinfecting your unit. Are you sure the temps are stable? Still air or fan? Sure the eggs are fertile? I sure wouldnt ship in any eggs till you get it figured out.

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

W
Wow, thats what rorks for me. Might try disinfecting your unit. Are you sure the temps are stable? Still air or fan? Sure the eggs are fertile? I sure wouldnt ship in any eggs till you get it figured out.

I have a small fan and the temps stay between 99-100. I have had 5 of my Cochin/silkie mixes hatch recently and 2 if my silkies too. Im pretty sure they are fertile. Last hatch they deveolpoed but all grew just didnt hatch. I bought eggs from another BYC'er before and I now have some from a different person. Now it just looks like nothing in the eggs. Including the shipped eggs. Just stinks to spend so much on shipped eggs and all the time for nothing. Maybe I need to just buy an incubator.

 

[ChickNmamma]

Quote: Hey wait - - Did you say SILKIES? There's your perfect incubator! Just leave a bunch of golf-balls in the nest - somebody will go broody in no time! Then you just stick the eggs under her and let her do all the work!