Incubators Anonymous

[DMRippy]

Hoo Hoo!!!! I know what I'm getting for Christmas! My DD just told me she ordered my Christmas present from my Amazon Wish List today....she said she was going along with my doomsday theory that if OBama was reelected, we would probably need to start raising our own food (chickens and eggs). So this morning she ordered me an incubator! Don't know which one yet, but can't wait! I only have one Rooster, a 3rd generation olive egger Blue Copper Marans. He looks just like a Marans.....feathered legs and all. I have 13 different breed chickens/hens. 6 adults and 7 chicks. All different colored eggs already....time for some Olive ones! I will be reading this thread now so I can learn about incubating so that in Jan/Feb I can start incubating! Yea!

Have not even gotten it yet and you are SURE you need IA already

Funny you should mention DOOMSDAY I saw a show the other day and they guy was BRAGGING that he was preparing by having chickens. He had 12 chicks 2 died (said that was natural selection thing) ANY way he said he ordered SOOOOO many because most people just have 2 or 3 and he got 12...... I was thinking well I AM WELL STOCKED FOR SUCH PROBLEMS... 300 and broodies should get the job done RIGHT!

 

[DMRippy]

NO POLITICS PLEASE! I like this thread and don't want it shut down

 

[MarineCorpFarmr]

Wow I'm an addict. 50 hatched this morning. 7 were pipped so ill pick them up tomorrow along with whatever else hatches from the remaining 7. 87 due to hatch 11/17. Set another dozen yesterday, and 2 dozen jersey giants today.

 

[Flowerbh]

Sorry about the comment. Wasnt really thinking. Just so excited about getting an incubator for Christmas! Soon I will be trying to find some locals who have eggs to hatch plus some olive eggers of my own!

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

ok, so I have been lurking from time to time but, being as though you all are obsessed as I am with incubating I may find my answer on here. On several hatchings the humidity has dropped upon lockdown due to film over the water. It happed yesterday also- this morning I put vinegar in the incubator water tray to attempt to kill the bacteria count down. Is this a good thing to do or bad or does anyone have any suggestions???

 

[AlienChick]

Are you in lockdown?
Can you just remove the water tray and wash it out with a bleach solution?
I've never had a film on the water reduce the humidity, but you don't have to worry too much about the humidity if you're only on day 1-18.
IF the humidity drops more than 20-30% then just add more water. Otherwise I would not worry too much about it.

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

Are you in lockdown?
Can you just remove the water tray and wash it out with a bleach solution?
I've never had a film on the water reduce the humidity, but you don't have to worry too much about the humidity if you're only on day 1-18.
IF the humidity drops more than 20-30% then just add more water. Otherwise I would not worry too much about it.

lockdown started yesterday morning. Water tray is part of the incubator.

 

[ki4got]

Quote:

ok, so I have been lurking from time to time but, being as though you all are obsessed as I am with incubating I may find my answer on here. On several hatchings the humidity has dropped upon lockdown due to film over the water. It happed yesterday also- this morning I put vinegar in the incubator water tray to attempt to kill the bacteria count down. Is this a good thing to do or bad or does anyone have any suggestions???
Quote: i don't use the water reservoir in the incubator at all, because of the potential for it to build up gunk (bacteria, lime residue, etc). in the summer I use a 4-cup rectangular storage container (one of the disposable ones) and made a wire cover from 1/2" hardware cloth to keep chicks from jumping in, and keep it full when hatching. easy enough to take out, wash and refill. for winter, i add a second 1/2-cup sized bowl since it's that much drier around here. you could experiment to find what works for you. but then, i use separate incubators and hatcher so that i don't have to worry about cleaning the incubators as often. the hatcher gets washed once a week, between hatchings. (just plain dish soap & water with a scrub brush for the corners).

oh and it's probably more likely to be a mold on the surface of the water than a bacteria, if it doesn't smell funky.

 

[DMRippy]

I have never cleaned mine at all. I use a plastic Nestle Quick container with a towel and sponges to up the humidity. I just keep adding water. I do get lime and hard water build up but that does not cause a problem. I use Oxine in my water too, that might be helping but I just have not see that issue. My incubator I just use a plastic dish pan.... just a lime ring when it drys out. I don't really use oxine in that but every once in awhile.

 

[MarineCorpFarmr]

ok, so I have been lurking from time to time but, being as though you all are obsessed as I am with incubating I may find my answer on here. On several hatchings the humidity has dropped upon lockdown due to film over the water. It happed yesterday also- this morning I put vinegar in the incubator water tray to attempt to kill the bacteria count down. Is this a good thing to do or bad or does anyone have any suggestions???

Few drops of clorox will take care of that for you