new and a bit scared

[tweedle]

Hello,
First let me say how happy I am to find such a place exists for me to ask questions. I'll have a lot of them, since I've never incubated an egg...ever!

I have a small flock 5 barred rocks, 6 RIR, 2 EELs plus rooster, tom and hen royal palm and a silky hen and roo. And eggs, lots of eggs.

I purchased a homemade incubator last year and just now trying to figure it all out. Most of the directions I've found on-line are somewhat confusing since my bator is homemade. It's made of wood, has a fan, no windows, 5 shelves, top shelf has two pans for water, bottom shelf is stationary and the other three tilt by means of a toggle switch. Two heating elements and adjuster nuts. Two thermometers are on the outside one seams to measure the temp of the shelf with water and the other measure the temps for the tilting shelves. I've had it running for the last week and the bottom and top temps stay the same (99-101) whether water is in it or not. So I'm not really sure how the humidity was gaged.

1.Any idea how the humidity was checked?

2.Do the eggs go on the bottom shelf when they start to pip, do they just sit in the dark for the next few days as they dry off (seams mean)lol

3.I read that I should put the eggs in and not open the bator for the first week. But my water evaporates every two days or so. What do I do?



I'm sure I'll have more questions as the eggs go in. I would like to cover these issues before actually putting the eggs in.

I would greatly appreciate any help or advice you can give.

Thanks!
Tweedle

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio. Well, since it was homemade, they probably just put a hygrometer inside. If it were me, the first thing I would do is put a piece of glass somewhere for a window. Also, can you drill a hole and place a piece of tubing in it to add water to it so you don't have to open it all the time just to add water. Maybe if you can post a pic of it, we will have a better idea of what you are working with.

 

[JROOSTER]

 

[SunnyDawn]

I made my first 'bator and I opened it at least three times a day to turn eggs. I just put a bowl of water in, never measured the humidity and I had 8 out of 12 eggs hatch. A mother hen never measures the humidity with a gauge either and she will leave the nest a couple of times a day to eat, drink and poop. Not to mention her frequent rearranging of eggs. I don't see the problem in opening the 'bator up every couple of days to add water. As far as leaving them in the 'bator after hatching, I'd quit turning them the last couple of days or once they start to pip for sure and leave them in the 'bator until they are completely dry. It's not mean, they don't need interaction at this time. They are pretty pooped from all the work they've just done and they don't need food or water for the first 2-3 days. I agree with the post above! I would put a window in for sure! You will be too tempted to open the 'bator up (especially when you start to hear peeping) and this can cause problems during the hatching phase. Fluctuating temps and dry air are not good for hatching chicks! Post pics of your first hatch!
Good luck!!! And welcome to BYC!