Incubators Anonymous

[gladahmae]

That sounds like a good plan.  If she stays with her 7 eggs all day tomorrow then she is "with the program" and will hatch the incubated ones for you. 

And yes - other hens will "donate" daily - its why I move mine.  I found the poor broodies get confused by too many hatching dates - and some will give up after getting a few chicks if the other eggs are too far behind..

Well I moved her over to the kennel tonight. She didn't really protest, so hopefully that's a good sign. I took a few eggs away from her since she was up to 9 now. I left 5 for her to sit on....fewer to have to dig for tomorrow.

My eggs are blrw eggs, mostly medium size, and most of them looked good when I candled. My BIL is kind of itching to get his incubator back to hatch in, so could I swap eggs during the day? Or would I be better off doing that at night again? And one more question. She's been coming outside to drink and scratch around for about 5 min a day every afternoon. I don't want her to get confused about where to go since I'm pretty sure she'll go back to the corner and not the kennel, should I lock the kennel door and just make sure she has food and water available?

 

[ki4got]

I did an incubator building workshop at the san diego meet up last weekend. I had people asking me to sell them incubators. You may see Oz incubators going mainstream LOL.

care to help the rest of us who aren't on the left coast out here? 8)

 

[ChickNmamma]

Quote: Yes, you can swap eggs during the day if she doesn't get mad at you. Just mark the ones you put in so you don't swap them back out again...

Can you setup a small run outside the kennel for her? Like a wire dog crate or something? Just big enough for her to go poop outside? Otherwise you are right - if she can go back to the old spot she will.. If you can't setup something then keep her locked in the kennel -she will get up and poop by the door. Yes to the food and water inside with her so she can get it.

 

[ozexpat]

care to help the rest of us who aren't on the left coast out here? 8)

my first one is in my signature

the bordeax bator.

I have a small cabinet bator (150 eggs) half finished. I will post when its done.

My Philippines bator is

i need to install a dehumidifier there - i cant get humidity in the bator below 60%

and a hygrostat

to set humidity at 30% during the main part of the hatch

 

[gingerly1983]

lol I was like "How in the world do they keep the eggs from falling out if they are standing up like that?!?!?!" .....blonde moment. But it caught my attention! Haha

 

[gladahmae]

Yes, you can swap eggs during the day if she doesn't get mad at you.  Just mark the ones you put in so you don't swap them back out again...

Can you setup a small run outside the kennel for her?  Like a wire dog crate or something?  Just big enough for her to go poop outside?  Otherwise you are right - if she can go back to the old spot she will..   If you can't setup something then keep her locked in the kennel -she will get up and poop by the door.  Yes to the food and water inside with her so she can get it.

It's a 42in kennel so I'm hoping that's big enough to both her nest and her run. We only have big dogs here. Lol!

 

[ChickNmamma]

Quote:
Yes, that is enough room for her to get up, scratch around, eat, drink, poop - and go back. Just leave it locked up.

You might want to wear a gas mask when you remove the poop....

Or just hold your breath...

 

[ozexpat]

time to set eggs before bed. I won 4 dozen at the BYC meet up yesterday. I had a winning streak

Wellsummers
Blue Andalusians
Bantam Barred Rocks
Silver Penciled Rocks
A mixed dozen

the work is never done for the hatch-a-holic

I better get another wine box bator up in a hurry

 

[DMRippy]

OK here is a pic of my SOON TO BE HATCHER... suggestions are welcome. I have requested windows on the drawers... need to find some glass for that. I want it on some legs so I don't have to bend over too much with my bad back. So far I like it LOTS. I suggested making the doors shorter since I will not be in there much. Might not be an easy thing to do so we will see. I will have a vent in the top and maybe one on the back too.

 

[ChickNmamma]

OK here is a pic of my SOON TO BE HATCHER... suggestions are welcome. I have requested windows on the drawers... need to find some glass for that. I want it on some legs so I don't have to bend over too much with my bad back. So far I like it LOTS. I suggested making the doors shorter since I will not be in there much. Might not be an easy thing to do so we will see. I will have a vent in the top and maybe one on the back too.

How about thick plexiglass for the drawer and door fronts? Water resistant.. drill-able and cut-able - doesn't break... and see through! Its what somebody put on the front of my Sportsman in place of the old door and I am very grateful! Only problem is the cost....