Incubators Anonymous

[Arielle]

I
Quote: Blair I agree with the comments here-- use the eggs to tell you how the humidity level is-- look at the air cell. It will grow very large and when that is the correct size, the chicks hatch much better. Do you have a diagram to look at while candling?? Many versions on the internet: "air cells at days 7, 14 and 18 " should get you a diagram.

 

[Arielle]

19 boxes of eggs just arrived via usps..

is that a lot?

I hope you have room!!

Good luck!

 

[ozexpat]

Depends on how many are in each box!!

more than a dozen and they are now on the plane to the philippines with me

pushing back

 

[Chucklecluck]

Look what I came home to tonight

 

[Keggen]

Tomorrow is hatch day for my Welsummer's and EE's! The French Black Copper Marans and a few misc green and blue will start hatching on Sunday or Monday. This is my first time hatching in cartons and I'm wondering if I should switch them over to the

floor of the bator?

 

[Zootopia]

Tomorrow is hatch day for my Welsummer's and EE's! The French Black Copper Marans and a few misc green and blue will start hatching on Sunday or Monday. This is my first time hatching in cartons and I'm wondering if I should switch them over to the

floor of the bator?

Only if you are OK with the hatced chicks playing Soccor . Personally I'd leave them as are. Especially with such a staggered hatch.

 

[Arielle]

Tomorrow is hatch day for my Welsummer's and EE's! The French Black Copper Marans and a few misc green and blue will start hatching on Sunday or Monday. This is my first time hatching in cartons and I'm wondering if I should switch them over to the
floor of the bator?

THis is the 64, ooo dollar question. I have been doing this resently, but I lost a lav AM that pipped on the bottom and didn't see it to help it. Pros and cons.

 

[insanity]

19 boxes of eggs just arrived via usps..

is that a lot?

I think it might be time for an intervention......." Remember we are here because we care and want to help with your addiction."

Honestly though good luck with the hatch,they will keep you hopping.

 

[ozexpat]

I think it might be time for an intervention......." Remember we are here because we care and want to help with your addiction."

Honestly though good luck with the hatch,they will keep you hopping.

Eggs now in Philippines (me too)

I'm getting the flock out of here (or there)

 

[ki4got]

Quote: personally, since I've got a pretty good system... for upping humidity quick, I have the floor lined with paper towels, and use a squeeze bottle (like for ketchup/mustard/etc) with HOT water in it. when I open up, to remove chicks or whatever, then I squirt a bunch of water onto the paper towels. also, I use the paper cartons rather than foam or plastic, so I can also fill one of the empty egg slots with water too, and the egg crate soaks up the water increasing humidity right at the eggs.

usually on day 19 i'll candle everyone quickly, to make sure I didn't miss any obvious quitters (not moving the eggs, just looking in the top) and to see who's internally pipped, moving, and such.
on day 21, usually in the afternoon, i'll take out any that have hatched already, water the floor and let the humidity recover. then do a quick run thru of candling again, and any that haven't at least internally pipped I check for bottom pips. if I have one it gets laid on the side on the paper at the front of the 'bator. I leave a 4" or so gap at the front for chicks to move around and to soak with water when needed. touch up the water if needed and let it set again. if I have any that look like they're starting to dry out too much i'll move them around a central empty slot and fill it. water the floor and i'm out.

when I open it, it's usually only open for a few seconds at a time to pull chicks. maybe 15 seconds to candle or move eggs around, and even less if i'm just adding water.

the trick is using hot water tho. only as hot as the tap will get, not boiling. cooler water pulls the temp down while it's warming up. hotter water evaporates faster as well putting humidity up rapidly.