My first incubator!

[NatalieB]

So I told myself I would never hatch chicks.........well its true never say never! I am dying to hatch some marans so I am going to try my luck. I have NO idea what I am doing, but I guess everyone needs to start somewhere! I got a hoverbator with egg turner and I guess I have some serious reading up to do!! What is the best piece of advice that you could give this newbie just starting???

 

[The Gotfeather]

For god's sake stop dancing around and breathe! From there on in it should be easy.

 

[Barred Rocker]

Knowledge comes with experience. Each time I've incubated I've learned something new. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. With luck your first experience will be a good one but don't give up if it doesn't go as expected. I've had some great hatches and I've had total failures. Lesson learned with hatching is sometimes you can do everything right and still fail, the trick is to not let that deter you. I think you'll find the experience very fulfilling.

 

[NatalieB]

Sorry had to dance around a bit.........its the little things in life

I did get a pm with great advice. Thank you! I will hope for the best and prepare for the worst. LOL Thank you!

 

[2txmedics]

Natalie, let us know how your hatch is coming along...remember to read all I sent you....I know its long...guy has some good hatches.

Im now at present chatting with him in email....he is running me through some of the stuff that happened with my hatch and basically holding my hand and walking me through it...tonight he told me how to calibrate my hydrometer...so going to do that tonight, has to test 12hrs..so putting it late tonight to check in the morning.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

[joebryant]

Best that I can tell you is don't leave your fertilized eggs out during this hot weather. Put them in an egg carton, big end up, and put the egg carton(s) in the vegetable drawer at the bottom of your refrigerator. Raise/switch the two sides of the carton a couple of times each day until you have enough to incubate.

EDIT: BTW, gather the eggs as soon as possible after they're laid, i.e., don't leave them in the hot nest.

 

[2txmedics]

I was wondering about that one...I have eggs I gather, I made the walk a few times a day...my girls lay after they eat around 10am but before noon...and then again later in the day about 4pm I find more....and they are just laid, there warm...

I put them in an egg carton...at first I put them in the refrig. thought maybe its too cold so I took them out...have them on the counter and I put one end up on a can...when I walk past them every 2hrs or so...I put the other end up...just as if there turning...

put a themo. in the refrig...its registering at 42...so u think refrig. is ok??? Think Mother Earth said 45-55??? for not more than 2wks

 

[Junkmanme]

REALLY LIKE the "advice" by Gotfeather !!!

Ha-Ha!

GOOD LUCK !!!

-Junkmanme-

 

[Kiwi Chicky]

Thanks NatalieB for asking this question!

I was just about to do the same

I have a new hovabator turbo - just need to get a power adapter so I can use it here in NZ.

So my first batch of eggs will go in prob about the 28th this month.

I'm so excited I've been dancing too

I can't wait to have chickies !!

I've just been reading anything and everything I can on the subject.

If anyone has good advice on using a hovabator please let me know

Thanks