Need a quick answer to Hatching Question

[allquackedup]

We started eggs in our Hovebator 2362n . We ordered new one since we are doing a staggard hatch of duck and chicken eggs. It has not come and the only thing locally I can get is the Hovabator with no fan. Our first set needs to be out of the turner Thu 2/25/10 . For the hatching/peeping duration can we use a fanless incubator. Will the humidity stay stable? Please any info.......

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Yes, you can use a fanless incubator for hatching. I prefer the fanless for hatching as the humidity stays higher than the incubators with a fan.

 

[Intheswamp]

If the humidity and temps can be maintained adequately in the still-air I've read that it is better to hatch in a still-air. The mentality is that the chicks don't have a breeze blowing on them, that they will stay more moist during the pipping/hatching stage, and thus the membranes won't be as subject to drying out quickly during hatching. They will probably take longer to "fluff out"/dry in a still air but they'll be warm and the chance of shrinkwrapping is lower...there's really no downside, that I see, to hatching in a still-air as long as the humidity and temps are maintained.

I don't have experience in this, and what I've written is all "heresay", but I've read this from several knowledgeable people. This spring I intend to incubate in a forced-air incubator and then move the eggs to a still-air for "lock down" and hatching.

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[allquackedup]

Thankyou for the quick response Sundown waterfowl and In the swamp. We will get the fanless one today from our local TSC. We were getting worried about not being prepared come Thu. Thanks again...
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[Keri78]

If you want you can read the article on the BYC homepage under hatching eggs...there's a GREAT one on dry incubation(although "dry" really just means "less" humidity than normal)..anywho...in that article he gives suggestions on temps and humid for fanless incubators too!!! Check it out...I found it REALLY helpful with my first hacth! Blessings, Keri

 

[magsrags]

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Fanless is all I've ever used up to this point with very good results normally.:<)
Good luck!

 

[Intheswamp]

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I'm curious, though. I thought TSC only carried Little Giant incubators...they also carry Hovabators???

Thanks,
Ed

 

[allquackedup]

Intheswamp you are corrert they are little giants. We have a hovabator with fan and egg turner. It works very well in our opinion. Unless we get this lil giant we may run out of time for the hatchling. They are still blaming delays on this snow storm we had and they are calling for more come Monday.
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I'm curious, though. I thought TSC only carried Little Giant incubators...they also carry Hovabators???

Thanks,
Ed