Incubators Anonymous

[Tuhmu]

I was going to try and hatch in a carton but it soaked up all the water almost instantly, there was no way to get it so it wasn't on the water wells. I do want to give it a go though, so I ordered some plastic egg trays I'm going to starting keeping the eggs in.

 

[ki4got]

I was going to try and hatch in a carton but it soaked up all the water almost instantly, there was no way to get it so it wasn't on the water wells. I do want to give it a go though, so I ordered some plastic egg trays I'm going to starting keeping the eggs in.

I don't use the water wells. I use a plastic bowl with wire cover (keeps the chicks from jumping in for a swim). the bowl's about 4x6 and about 3" deep, disposable plastic container.

 

[Lizz9311]

Hi Lizz. I'm on my second hatch too but my husband banned me from more hatching but we'll see (I think he said that last time). I had a 90% hatch rate my first hatch which was really shocking so I've thought a lot of what made it so successful. I think for me having the incubator in my room where I can keep a constant eye has helped and local eggs from people who are really good about giving only good eggs helped. I have a farm innovators incubator with no fan or turner so it's definitely not the incubator. And the temp and humidity is all over the place but nothing extreme. I aim for 40% humidity and 101° temp. Welcome and good luck

Thanks! I have a little giant still air incubator. I got it used and they didn't provide the manual with it, so I'm shooting in the dark right now. I'm working on researching tips to make it work. I WILL be incubating again whether or not hubby agrees!

 

[ladycat]

I have eggs due the 3rd, which means they should go into lockdown tomorrow (Saturday). And I have eggs due the 5th, which means they should go into lockdown Monday.

So what should I do? Meet them in the middle and put them all into lockdown on Sunday?

 

[skunknchatter]

I put 17 eggs in my homemade cooler "chickie-ator" incubator 12 days ago. I had to leave town so hubby was in charge for a few days. He did good because when I candled tonight I had an even dozen that were growing on schedule. I had two with blood rings and two that looked like they never even started. The best hatch I've had so far (this is only my third) was 4 out of 13. So this hatch is looking better at this point. Well see how many actually hatch

 

[ccr chickens]

I'm on day 7 of incubation gonna candle tonight. Any eggs that show no fertilization should I get rid of now?

 

[Tuhmu]

If they don't smell I would wait till day 10-14. Depending on the egg color it can sometimes still be a bit tricky to see on day 7.

 

[Demidog]

I like how everyone's ignoring their husbands if they've told you not to hatch more eggs

Mine is the same. He said if they don't hatch i'v just wasted all the electricity, and that i should of just bought day old chicks instead...... I'v said, well, if they don't hatch we will buy live chicks too

 

[Demidog]

Tomorrow, Sunday, is day 18 for my eggs and they will be in lock-down after lunch time. Advice please on what i should do? I candled them yesterday and they were all moving and the air cell looks big, but not too big, and i think i can see their little feet kicking about inside!

About the humidity - I've had one shallow dish of water in there so far that I've been topping up every 2-3 days as it's dried out. Should i add another dish tomorrow to increase the humidity? If i add another dish the same size will that double the humidity?

For the temperature - should it remain constant? I've been trying to keep it as close to 38.5 C can i can get it, but i don't have a thermostat (homemade incubator) and the temp has been going up and down a lot. But I'm checking on it throughout the day and night and adjusting it accordingly. It's been kept mostly between 37 - 39 C but it drops when i open the door to turn them. There has been a few nights when it's been about 37.5 and another few where it's gone up over 39 and then I've adjusted it first thing in the morning. They're all alive though. Do you think they will hatch? Is that going to be a major problem, the temp fluctuation? It's really difficult without a thermostat! Do you think they will hatch later? I think it's been under 38.5 more that over because i am paranoid they cook!

So tell me everything I'm supposed to do at lock down, then I'm not to open the door until they've all hatched, right?

 

[TherryChicken]

I have 12 chicks that we will be keeping all pullets from. Lost their dad yesterday, had to be euthanized.