Nervous - first timer

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

That's what I use - the accurite from Walmart. I have two LG still airs and will be turning on my new Hovabator forced air tomorrow. Have never had a forced air with a fan so do you read the humidity the same on the accurite as with the still air? Is it harder or easier to maintain the humidity with the fan?

 

[thepetpaw]

I just got through with my first ever hatch....very nervous. I really didnt think any would hatch. I tried to candle several times but all I saw was a big black mass - - it was the chicken - well I know that now!
I had 13 hatch and they are all doing great. 1 week old - so cute and I already have more in the bator....day 3...

 

[CindyS]

It does not hurt a thing to open the incubator for the first 18 days. only during hatch is it not wise to open. The most important thing is a good thermometer, one you know is accurate, the worst thing to do is go through an entire incubation with the wrong temps! Also, if you have time, hand turn, you will get much better hatch rates.

 

[Riocotesei]

Really? I've read that "less contact the better" I hope your right though cause I have to hand turn. I have 33 eggs in there and I feel like I take to long to do it. I'm soo worried I'm doing something wrong. This is not a hijack !

 

[deerman]

Here is how I hatch peafowl eggs, which are some of the hardest to hatch. No need to go thru this with most other eggs.


First 8 days set them under broody hens.

Check each egg for fertilely.

Move to a GQF sportman incubator.

Place the eggs in the egg tray FLAT (not small end down)

Mark each egg with day set on the side.

Manual turn eggs every 12 hours.

Use the auto turner also.

Move to a hatcher on day 26 with the higher humdity.

Went from 80% to 90% hatch of all fertile eggs. My very first batch I hatch 100% of all fertile eggs.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I have a Brower top hatch as well. I wrap bubble wrap around the sides. I take the plugs out on top. And I loosely lay a piece of bubblewrap over the top. Browers are great, but they do need a blanket because they're thin walled, and alot of heat is lost thru the top cause it's a big plastic top. My back bdrm has no sun, and I have ac, and it's set at the same temp all the time. I still had to use a wrap. But it's a great incubator and I love the way it turns the eggs.

 

[deerman]

Quote:
I have a Brower top hatch as well. I wrap bubble wrap around the sides. I take the plugs out on top. And I loosely lay a piece of bubblewrap over the top. Browers are great, but they do need a blanket because they're thin walled, and alot of heat is lost thru the top cause it's a big plastic top. My back bdrm has no sun, and I have ac, and it's set at the same temp all the time. I still had to use a wrap. But it's a great incubator and I love the way it turns the eggs.

Was pretty sure most top hatcher user us blankets. When using AC remember they remove the humidity from the room.

 

[Katy]

I have Genesis 1588s and I agree you need to keep them in a room with steady temps. I keep mine in my basement and have no trouble keeping the temps steady. Keeping the lid on is very important as has already been said. I put the eggs in, candle around day 11 or 12 and then don't open it again until I put them in the hatcher. I don't have to add much water with it being in my humid basement. It doesn't take long for them to get the temps back to where they need to be.

 

[deerman]

Quote:
Dont worry to much, Post are when people have trouble. Sure they are many newbe have great first hatches.

Even with a few small mistake you will have some hatch, watch temp. dont jump to high that can kill all. Talking like over 104. If temp. drops or you forget to turm the eggs. This may drop your hatch rate. Still a few will hatch.

I had my bad hatches, but over the years keep making improvement to increase hatch rates.
Also found what work for one type egg, may not work for another.
Have hatch button quail to Ostriches.

 

[cqranch]

Well on day 7 now. I candled last night, or at least tried. All of mine are brown eggs, so not really that easy. On most though, I could see a dark cloud floating around, so assuming that is the peep. A few I really couldn't tell, still leaving them in bator though. Had one stinker that I had to get rid of. Could smell it when I opened bator to turn, so had to smell each egg til I found it. Temps staying steady at around 99-100, humidity at around 45. Using LG still air.