Need help - terrible experience incubating

[MROO]

That's an interesting idea. We're definitely going to to use much lower humidity until the end on the next try.


We definitely won't, and we're going to make sure the place we get them doesn't wash them either.


I like this idea, but sometimes (not always) someone will peck open someone else's egg. I'd think about something where we set up a nesting box in a triage cage and put some fertilized eggs in there. We have one hen that will sit on eggs for a while but never very long. My wife doesn't think she's broody enough to bring eggs to completion, but we could certainly try it. That said, I also like the notion of our being mom to new chicks that are used to our voices. We've only ever had day-old chicks and I have to think being quieter and never being shipped will yield calmer hens. Ours are calm aready, but I feel like we could end up with even calmer hens that don't mind petting, as opposed to the current batch that don't like being petted, but are happy sitting on our knees or eating out of our hands.

Most don't really care for what we think of as "petting," stroking them along their backs and side. That sort of physical touch is usually associated with breeding, so the hens move away from it. Try gently rubbing around their head and necks, instead. If you can gently free up pinfeathers, you're way ahead on the path to friendship - that's how birds mutually groom. Once your girls are comfortable sitting still for that, "cuddle-petting" just comes naturally!

 

[Kiki]

That may well be. I'd welcome suggestions for something better. The link in your original post seems to no longer be valid. I'd love a recommendation for something with an automatic turner, good airflow (this says it has airflow but it wasn't strong if it was there), and a reliable hygrometer. I'm assuming they're sold somewhere, but it's also conceivable there aren't reasonable incubators available for sale.

Are the digital thermometers you're mentioning things that sit inside the incubator? I think I'd need a far larger incubator to get them in near the eggs, and the way the turner worked in this one I think it might be a challenge even with small thermometers. I've gotten a couple USB-connectable thermometers but I'd have no way with this design to get them into the enclosure. I'd welcome advice. But ideally I'd like to find an incubator with these functions self-contained and reliable.


It was saying 60% up until we locked down, and then we moved to 70%, assuming the hygrometer wasn't completely confused. Are you saying it was too low based on symptoms? The display said we were on the mark, but I don't trust it.


We didn't wash them but they didn't look soiled. We'll wash the next batch.


Thank you. It was all quite sad.

Get the 3 pack of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Hygrom...ocphy=1026481&hvtargid=pla-2281435179298&th=1

 

[ChibaPet]

Get the 3 pack of these:

Ah, I appreciate the advice, but Inkbird ITH10s were suggested earlier and I have a six-pack coming. Should work. And our new incubator arrived today. We're going to wait for the thermometer/hygrometer units to come in so we can make sure all the numbers agree for a couple days before we start more eggs.

I will keep people apprised of how it goes, and I'll probably post pictures in here.