need help with incubation

[tandjpopperwill]

Hi. I'm new at the incubation process. I know you have to have fertilized eggs and an incubator. Got that covered. We just purchased a little giant 9300. The instructions say to keep it at 99.5 degrees. I have done a lot of research on the internet and heat a lot of horror stories. So I'm asking for help. My kids are ready to start bating eggs now but I'm letting the bator run for 24 hrs first.
So once the eggs are in, I've read to just let them set for the first day. We plan on turning them twice a day. When do I need to add water? Before I put the eggs in? Do you leave the bator on all 21 days? I've read about people cutting theirs off at day 18-19? Didn't understand why. Is there any truth to the humidity and temp levels determining the sex? A few pointers would greatly be appreciated. My girls would love to see this experiment work and not be a disaster. Thanks.

 

[BonRae67]

Let the incubator run for a couple of days and get another thermometer to check for accuracy. Put the eggs in the incubator before adding water because the humidity will go up once you put them in. Turn the eggs 3 times a day so that they do not lay on the same side every night. Start turning them the same day. Leave the incubator on for the entire hatch, could be up to 25 days. Some eggs hatch early some late. 21 days is an average. Hope his helps some. Good luck.

 

[tandjpopperwill]

Let the incubator run for a couple of days and get another thermometer to check for accuracy. Put the eggs in the incubator before adding water because the humidity will go up once you put them in. Turn the eggs 3 times a day so that they do not lay on the same side every night. Start turning them the same day. Leave the incubator on for the entire hatch, could be up to 25 days. Some eggs hatch early some late. 21 days is an average. Hope his helps some. Good luck.

 

[tandjpopperwill]

Whatshod the humidity stay around?

 

[BonRae67]

The first 18 days between 35-50% then on lockdown, day 18 raise it to 70-75%

 

[drumstick diva]

Bonnie has you good advice, so I will just say Welcome to the Backyard Chickens flock,

hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

 

[tandjpopperwill]

The first 18 days between 35-50% then on lockdown, day 18 raise it to 70-75%

When you say lockdown, do you not open or turn eggs til they hatch?

 

[tandjpopperwill]

When you say lockdown, do you not open or turn eggs til they hatch?

I apologize for so many questions but how exactly do you raise and lower your humidity?

 

[tandjpopperwill]

Bonnie  has  you good advice, so I will just say  Welcome to the Backyard Chickens flock,    hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!