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[stutes83]

So I been wanting to use a incubator to hatch some chicks!! Friday I got some eggs from the yard, took out the incubator, and set it up, added water to the bottom and turned it on, placed eggs inside, please tell me what is next !! Temperature is staying at 99.9-99.5 to 100!! Humidity 45-60 %! What do u need to do? How often do I add water? Can I open it to check water? My cousin told me spray it daily with a water bottle?? Please give me tips on how to make this batch come out good!! Thanks

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome! Glad that you joined. The temperature should be at 99.5, and the humidity between 40 and 45 until you start your lockdown on day 18 for chicken's.

Edit: Since you are a beginner with hatching, you should join one of the Hatch-A-Long's here. They can help you a lot though your's. You can try this one that is currently going:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/march-hatch-a-long.1293338/page-59

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I've never used an incubator. You'll get good advice from others though. Good luck.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[sylviethecochin]

There's no need to spray water.
If your water container is empty, fill it. If your humidity is too high, then you need to cover some of your water, or use a narrower container, so that it can't evaporate as quickly. (similarly, if your humidity is too high, you should use a wider water container.)
You can open to check water.
Are you using a forced or still air incubator? If it's forced (there's a fan in there) then that temp is good. If it's still air, then you might want to bring that up a degree.
To increase the success of your hatch, you should use two thermometers, one to make sure that the first one is right. If you purchased your incubator, don't trust the thermometer.
Turn the eggs at least three times every day, at least until day fourteen.

This article is good:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-eggs-just-21-days-from-egg-to-chicken.47696/

And you've missed out on half of the experience if you don't candle:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ion-through-incubation-of-chicken-eggs.47879/

On a side note: Generally, if I'm collecting eggs from my own hens, I like to feed them a very nutrient-rich diet beforehand, supplementing vitamin B and E, and raising my feed protein level to 18-20%. Layer feed is good for producing eggs, but it sometimes isn't sufficient for eggs that grow into chicks. Chances are that your eggs will be perfectly healthy, but sometimes, mine aren't.

Good luck, and welcome to BYC!

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Hello! Welcome to BYC!!

Good luck on your adventures!

Feel free to check out the links below for some interesting reading.

 

[Pork Pie]

Welcome to BYC and good luck with your hatch.

This is a useful link of BYC guides to take a look at announcements-feedback-issues-guides.3 I’d suggest including your location using the guide in the link. You can use this link to contact members in your area - Find your State's thread.

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[007Sean]

Howdy and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUN-omenal community! Best wishes and have lots of FUN!

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC.
We are glad you joined this flock!
Jump right in and make yourself at home.
Go buy a thermometer and humidity gauge today and calibrate them both.
This video will help you learn how to navigate this site (how to upload photos too):

Coop Ideas:
Chicken Coops.

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