January Hatch Buddies?

[chicken-owner-31]

You guys are making me so excited I can't stand it! I got my bator today!!!

Now I just need to figure out a way to invite myself over to my friend's house to grab some eggs without looking too crazy! Haha! I could set some as early as tomorrow if I get it hooked up tonight!! But I will wait until Monday probably. Or Tuesday. But I am having a hard time waiting!

 

[GAGE]

Quote:
Very nice, I have looked at these several times!

 

[math ace]

Quote:
You should go ahead and set the incubator up and let it run for a few days to make sure it is holding temps and humidity.

Also, you could put some regular store bought eggs in there for a couple of days and see how it preforms with a load of eggs in it.

This dry test will help you feel better about waiting AND you will feel better knowing that everything will go well when you get the eggs

 

[epitman2]

Hello Yall,, I have been looking and reading about hatching eggs and incubators store bought and homemade and i decided to see if i could build one. Ifound a old cooler a old lamp and a old computer "fan" and some hardware cloth and...... wallah a "cluk O' bator . The adventure begins .
Ok i have some questions for all that are experts..... ok the temp is ranging from 95.0 to 102.4 and the humidity is 40% to 60% and i have tested for 2 days so far. Now is that acceptible or do i need to do something else to try to hit that magic number?
Im guessing that the bator will hold 20 eggs should I put all 20 eggs in or should I leave some room???? So many questions to ask.
I am going to put some eggs in on 12:01 am new years day!! LET ME KNOW any info will be used.. Thanks E

 

[gavinandallison]

If all works well I will placing my first batch in around 6 or 7 Jan, looking for a 28 Jan hatch date. I have a Hova Bator 1602N with turner. So, am awaiting confirmation if I will get my eggs on or around that date.

 

[chkinut]

well, i candled my eggs today....i have 3 sets of eggs...staggered...one day right after the next....they're on days 8, 9, and 10. i have 2 eggs that i'm unsure of, so back into the bator they went...and i threw 7 eggs away. i cracked them open (which i have NEVER done....always too much of a chicken....no pun intended)....but i cracked them open cuz that's how certain i was that there was no growth.....and thank goodness i was right. out of the 7, 5 of them were dark BCM eggs. hubby is a hunter and has a VERY powerful flashlight so i use that to candle. so...now i have more room in the bator for hatching time....and less disappointment when that time comes since i removed the duds that were apparently infertile.

 

[chicken-owner-31]

Quote:
You should go ahead and set the incubator up and let it run for a few days to make sure it is holding temps and humidity.

Also, you could put some regular store bought eggs in there for a couple of days and see how it preforms with a load of eggs in it.

This dry test will help you feel better about waiting AND you will feel better knowing that everything will go well when you get the eggs

You are so right, and I want to do that too. What should I disinfect the bator with afterwards? I don't have any of the Brinsea rinse they talk about in the manuel.....

Now my biggest concern is where to put the thing!!! I have a couple options.....

1. My bedroom. Pros: It's the least travelled part of the house. It's away from the kids and the critters. Cons: It can get cold in there sometimes when the temps drop at night. Hubby is a light sleeper and fan noise might tick him off!

2. The kitchen counter beside the fridge (not the stove.) Pros: It's a lot more stable temperature wise. We would all be able to see and enjoy it. Cons: It's in a higher traffic area, and might be accidentally bumped by a curious kitty. (Kids are old enough to know that they would take thier life in thier hands if they looked at it crossways.)

3. My closet. Pros: Definitely would be quiet and out of the way of drafts! Cons: I don't have anything completely flat to set it on, and the directions say that's important to make an air "seal" under the bator.

Which should I do?

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

I candled a few of the eggs yesterday. Day 4. I spot a growth! I'm so excited- this is only my second hatch! There's a little dark spot that's moving around a little near the air sac. Not sure if it's the actual chick but it wasn't there on day 1

 

[gitlost80]

I saw the same thing on my eggs of the same age last night. I tried to take a picture to post, but I havent had time to figure out my new Christmas Camera. I will try again in a couple days. Yay for eggs with little moving dark spots!!!!

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
A weak mixture of bleach and water will disinfect just fine.

Use your closet and find a plastic lid to a bin of some type. I have a whole slew of Styrofoam chests (from perishable foods shipped to me) and I used the lids to those, under my MiniAdvance units in a bookshelf. Not only are those insulated, being Styrofoam, but waterproof, too, in case you spill water. Nice flat surface on which to set the 'bator. Just look around and see what you can use like that.