Incubators Anonymous

[Faraday40]

I decided to pop back on this thread to say HI. My DD's 4H project was all about comparing the hatch rates of an incubator vs. a broody hen. Our little bantam orp volunteered 2xs for the experiment. ( Although the results were inconclusive, DD won Best in Show by her thorough analysis & creative idea.)

I admit that I have a slight incubation addiction. I'll even say that I passed it along to my DD. But now, my crazy little bantam orpington must join the club.

Meet Cookie. aka the "Cookie Monster" She went broody in NOV '14 (we stopped her), JAN '15 (-40'F temps stopped her), MAR-APR '15 (hatched 7 chicks/ 8 eggs), JUN-JUL '15 (hatched another 7 chicks/ 8 eggs), and SEP '15 (stole & is currently sitting on 11 eggs). She raises the bar to a whole new level. She's a bantam & most of the eggs are full-sized. When she flattens out, I don't see any shell, so she's covering them well. I suppose I can toss the clears after 7 days, but it's just crazy for her to want to do it again. Besides, the experiment is over. We don't need anymore chicks!

 

[Nanna34]

Hi everyone I started my first incubation project today, its a diy incubator just want to see if I can do it.

I do have 3 broody hens and they supplied the eggs (with great protest) for the project.

I have 2 Australorps eggs and 2 Koekoek eggs (South Africas version of the Bared Plymouth Rock) in the incubator and by the weekend I will add some Silkie eggs (getting a roo and two hens cant wait).

 

[DustyLavender]

Hi everyone! I turned my incubator on 2days ago for a first time and my broody has 12 eggs for 3days now... yes, I set my foot in the world and no turning back!!!

Btw, incubator is Brinsea mini and EcoGrow 20 is on the way! I'm scared for myself, lol

 

[ronott1]

Hi everyone I started my first incubation project today, its a diy incubator just want to see if I can do it.

I do have 3 broody hens and they supplied the eggs (with great protest) for the project.

I have 2 Australorps eggs and 2 Koekoek eggs (South Africas version of the Bared Plymouth Rock) in the incubator and by the weekend I will add some Silkie eggs (getting a roo and two hens cant wait).

How is the incubator working?

Hi everyone! I turned my incubator on 2days ago for a first time and my broody has 12 eggs for 3days now... yes, I set my foot in the world and no turning back!!!

Btw, incubator is Brinsea mini and EcoGrow 20 is on the way! I'm scared for myself, lol

I really like my Brinsea incubator!

 

[DustyLavender]

How is the incubator working?
I really like my Brinsea incubator!

It seems like keep temperature steady and turns, so far so good! Do you put 'Cooling time' in yours?

 

[mswendeu]

My brinsea works great for almost dry incubation. Word to the wise unless you have a humidity pump don't try to hatch duck eggs. It is very hard to keep the humidity up in it. Otherwise I love my brinsea mini advance.

 

[Faraday40]

The latest member of "Incubator's anonymous" is doing well.
Out of the 11 eggs that Cookie hoarded, 7 looked viable. I removed the clears, & we have a very content broody.
Sept 28 is the estimated hatch date, but she often gets them to hatch 1-2 days early. Not sure how or why?

 

[ronott1]

It seems like keep temperature steady and turns, so far so good! Do you put 'Cooling time' in yours?

The cool down cycle is use on day 10 to 18, and is two hours a day for chickens. I do use it when I can. I can't if I have different hatch dates in the incubator.

I have a 40 and it holds 44 eggs.

 

[Nanna34]

So I am on day 9 and all 6 eggs are doing well, I can see embryos and movement in all of them Im so excited.

Tried taking pics but it does not come out so well, Im think I have a winning incubator on my hands.

I just took an old cooler and a lamp that broke, and later added a fishtank heater to keep the temp steady.

 

[PD-Riverman]

So I am on day 9 and all 6 eggs are doing well, I can see embryos and movement in all of them Im so excited.

Tried taking pics but it does not come out so well, Im think I have a winning incubator on my hands.

I just took an old cooler and a lamp that broke, and later added a fishtank heater to keep the temp steady.

That sounds Great!! Keep giving us a report on how they are doing. Do you have a picture of your incubator or have one already posted?