Just started incubation....first time ever....all thoughts welcome!

[Happy Chooks]

Oh, biggest mistakes.............


#1 is DO NOT open the bator the last 3 days. This can result in the babies being shrink wrapped and they can't get out, so they die.

#2 Don't fill ALL resevoirs full the last 3 days. It's easier to add water, than to take it out. (nobody else probably has this problem, but stupid me, I did.) You can add water without opening the bator by using a bendy straw and a medicine syringe.

#3 TINY, TINY, TINY adjustments to thermostat. A little twist makes a big difference.

#4 Give time between adjustments. Adjust and then leave it for several hours, maybe even a day.

#5 Find something to do while they are hatching. It takes a LONG TIME, and you'll be tempted to open that bator. DON'T OPEN THAT BATOR.


Now with that said, there are special circumstances. I had one tear itself open and some of it's insides were sticking out. I couldn't sit there and watch the other 2 that had already hatched pick at it's injury. So I did open the bator quickly to help this little one. (and that may be what cost me my last 2 eggs that never hatched) I stuck a band aid over it's injury, but I didn't have much hope for it. Surprisingly, it survived and is now 4 weeks old. It turned out to be a cockeral, but he's a sweety so far.

 

[4CrazyGirlz]

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You're probably right. I like the avitar by the way!

 

[newduckie]

I am in the midst of my first hatch. They should hatch in a couple days. I have done about all the don'ts. I didnt know. I had "misread" the candling instructions. I thought it said to do it on the second day. so I did. wooops. we will see. I am pretty sure two of the four will hatch. Two look like they quit developing maybe last week. I started out with alot of duck eggs also, but they turned out to be infertile.

 

[4CrazyGirlz]

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Are you not suppose to candle on the 2nd day? I saw a forum where someone documented their incubation time and candled every day. What's up with the 2nd day? I had not heard to avoid it.

 

[Happy Chooks]

A lot of people here feel it's best not to disturb the embryo's while they are developing. You don't really see too much the first few days anyway. Candle on day 7 or 10 and again on day 18 before you lock down for hatching.

 

[4CrazyGirlz]

Good to know! Thanks!

 

[kathyinmo]

I can add another thing ... that I didn't know, and had a horrible hatch.
On the last three days, often referred to as, "lockdown," or "IBW," (Intensive Bator Watch), you have to have all the incubator vents open. The reason is, they need the oxygen. You may notice there are holes in the bottom of the incubator (if you have a styrofoam one). These are for oxygen also. Don't plug them or tape them or cover them. Be sure air can circulate there. Someone here suggested setting it up on blocks, which I do now.

 

[4CrazyGirlz]

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Oh....I better make sure their is air flow below the bator....thank you!!

 

[Painted Spirit]

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I have a fan in my incubator now. Do I still need to open the vents? Will I still be able to get the humidity up?

 

[kathyinmo]

It shouldn't be a problem. I have a fan also. The oxygen is as important (or more so) than the humidity. I can attest to that! My first hatch was wonderful (27 of 30 I think). Second hatch, I covered the holes (I thought they were just holes!) and blocked the oxygen circulation. I hatched 4 of 42 eggs.