Incubators

[Buttercup Chillin]

I wasn't to bad with the chicken chicks. But I find the Coturnix chicks and adults fascinating. So I have to be careful.
You notice, I like big eggs so I only use half of each quail tray. But just now DH asked if I had ordered the Genesis yet. So in the morning...

If I had a big cabinet, I would be in so much trouble. Even a little cabinet.

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
YES YOU DO! I HAVE BEEN EYEBALLING THEM

Y'ALL WERE SELLING A FEW READY-MADE UNITS AS WELL ARENT YOU?

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
VERY GOOD POINT.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I have a 1588 Genesis Hova-Bator Incubator w/ automatic turners. Love it.

 

[AMBene]

Forgot about the difference in electrical currents. So Brinsea for me. But gonna check out the plans for the trays. I'm pretty handy. As JJMR794 will know, as an RN, you have to be.

If the Coturnix if half as fascinating as I expect them to be, then I will be in trouble. That's why I'm going to send them to Freezer Camp and sell eggs, because I think my little guys are gonna love seeing them hatch. The 17 year old probably will too. He thought I was crazy when I brought home the Nutria as a pet (I do wild life rehab and Wild Life & fisheries say kill 'em or keep if you rehab em because they are such a pest in South Louisiana) Caught the teenages sneaking him out to go to Waffle House. They love him!!!

I'd hatch Chickens if I had the room (and a rooster...not stressing the neighbors with that one!)
Plan on hatching Chickens when we need replacements.

 

[AMBene]

Question for renegaderidgefarms: If I understand correctly, when I checked out your incubator, you can hatch eggs from different settings, just stop turning the ones about to hatch and then move the chicks to the brooder when dry? How is your humidity maintained and monitored? How could I add a automatic turner (the 24 hour shifts are problematic)?

Newbie question: If temp and humidity are important in hatch rates, how does opening a incubator to manually turn eggs or add water to the water tray, affect temp/humidity and hatch rates? Or does it? Is this an argument for an automatic turner and humidity pump?

 

[Buttercup Chillin]

Quote:
24 hour shifts= automatic turner.

Humidty. I usually add water once a day. How much is going to depend on the incubator. A quick open and close to add water is fine, and I have an older Hoova at that.

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
http://cgi.ebay.com/5-Tray-Hatching...676?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ef7ce2554

HIS DESIGN REQUIRES AUTOTURNERS, THE UNIT IS BUILT TO ACCEPT EITHER HOVA OR LG AUTOTURNERS ON THE SHELF AREAS... YOU WOULD DO BEST TO MOVE THE EGGS FROM THE TURNERS TO A HATCHING TRAY IN THE BOTTOM

 

[JJMR794]

The Basic Incubator Will Have Water Trays For Humidity. Humidity Control Systems Are Nice But Not Necessary- As If You Fill The Water Trays Correctly You Should Not Need To Add Water For A At Least 5-7 Days. Humidity Is Controlled By The Water Surface Area Within Your Incubator, Not Volume... This Is Where The Lg Tends To Fall Short As They Dont Have Enough Water Surface Area Built Into Their Design For Most Gamebird Speces Or Waterfowl. Obviously In Drier Climates Or If You Heat With Wood Burning You'll Have Much More Evaporation And More Frequent Filling Of The Water Trays Will Be Required

 

[AMBene]

Ya'll have been incredibly helpful! Here is another question. How many coturnix can the Brinsea 20 hatch and dry the chicks before moving them to the brooder? I worry about the little guys being crowded? (What can I say? As preveiously stated, even my 17 year old knows I over think things!)

I just have this firm belief that if you are gonna raise something...you should do it right. Even if most of them are headed for the freezer, they still deserve a good, healthy start!