Incubators Anonymous

[Caitlin_VT]

Hi everyone I have an incubator question. I am starting a hatch next week in a genesis HB, and when I plug it in the hygrometer reads 0% humidity. There was no directions to calibrate or to make any adjustments to set it so is as is right now. Is it really 0%? Do I need to do something for the dry hatch I am planning or is this too dry? I live in Mt so it is not very humid here ever. And the plugs leave in or take out currently out.

Mine has never read 0% because there usually is some humidity in the air.. You should get a hygrometer and see if you can calibrate your incubator. I don't think that is right, and the hygrometers (at least for me!) are notoriously wrong!

 

[ozexpat]

when hatching on this side of the pacific and with low humidity, i find weighing the eggs the best option, especially for a noob.

incubate dry, if the eggs are losing 3% at 7 days and 8% at 14 days you are golden. if higher then add water to slow the weight loss a tad.

then fill a channel at lock down.

pull one plug at the beginning and both at 14 days

 

[ki4got]

ok... I think I might be in trouble... LOL

first, I forgot that lockdown was early this week, for eggs due to hatch tomorrow...
second, my hatcher is overflowing! I've got about 55 eggs that all candled viable as of this afternoon!
third, I don't have brooder space! LOL

hm... where have I heard that recently?

 

[Runawaylobster]

LOL lumber is the LAST thing I need to buy. I have a 4000 sq ft barn FULL of pallets wood 2Xs you name it. I am getting 9 new brooders built this weekend from some of that scrap but still need to sell some chicks.

i would kill for a barn ... this weekend is the start of the rooster condo, so i can get them out of my growout pen....i sold another 6 chicks today though.. but let me see..

6 sold.. and another 80 or so hatching. Hmmmm something wrong with this arithmetic..

 

[TherryChicken]

So far I have 8 splash, 5 blue, and 1 black andalusian chicks. 1 pipped too low and ended up shrinkwrapping, 4 died, 7 aren't showing movements, but still have veining, 2 are still breathing, and one is pipped.

 

[DMRippy]

ok... I think I might be in trouble... LOL

first, I forgot that lockdown was early this week, for eggs due to hatch tomorrow...
second, my hatcher is overflowing! I've got about 55 eggs that all candled viable as of this afternoon!
third, I don't have brooder space! LOL

hm... where have I heard that recently?

We have a quorum now I think.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: Well I have a 3900 sq ft shop (1000 is for my printing equipment/libarary/office area and maybe 400 ft for the new chick room most of the rest of the floor has chickens LOL) then the 4000 sq ft is full of stuff and there is also a tractor barn with chickens too that is maybe 50x 25 or so.

BUT I don't have a house there so there is a trade off for right now. I have sold 21 chicks this week but didn't seem to make a dent..... 90 more in lockdown today too.....

 

[DMRippy]

WELL i have sold enough eggs this week that the eggs I set will be under 120 YIPPY! Most of those will be for sale like SBEL Olive Eggers and Sex linked EE. so maybe only 45 for me.

 

[mckeesbackyard]

Hi everyone I have an incubator question. I am starting a hatch next week in a genesis HB, and when I plug it in the hygrometer reads 0% humidity. There was no directions to calibrate or to make any adjustments to set it so is as is right now. Is it really 0%? Do I need to do something for the dry hatch I am planning or is this too dry? I live in Mt so it is not very humid here ever. And the plugs leave in or take out currently out.

Hi! I am 6500 ASL and my hygrometer usually reads 15% without any water in it. People have advised me to keep humidity between 20-30% then raise it to 70% at lock down. That's what am doing with 119 Coturnix Quail eggs I set a few days ago. I have the plug closed until the 10th day. I use a thin bendable straw and a 5 ml syringe without needle to squirt water in the bator through the plug. Use distilled water only.

 

[ozexpat]

@ki4got you need more lumber