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[Nanavanchicken]

Hi all, I'm not sure if I'm writing this in the right place, but here goes anyway.

We currently have 4 chickens, 2 Aracaunas and 2 others that I don't know the breeds of.

We have bought 8 fertile Aracauna eggs that we're hoping to incubate in an incubator that I bought 2nd hand. Currently we're trying to get the incubator running properly before we put the eggs in. If anyone can tell me whether the incubator should be cold or prewarmed before we put the eggs in, that would be helpful! We've had to buy a new heater element and replace the sensor in the incubator, so fingers crossed it will work properly.

Thanks,
Anna

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, Anna, and welcome to BYC!

Your incubator should be at 99.5F before putting eggs in it. I always have mine running the day before.

You can post pictures of your two unknown chickens in the What Breed or Gender forum if you'd like and folks will tell you what they are, or post here and we can possibly too.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hello, and welcome to BYC! We're glad you joined us!

 

[Jenbirdee]

hi Anna! it’s nice to meet you!

 

[Jener8or]

Here's a good article on incubating eggs. I replied to your incubator calibration question, so I hope it helps! (I don't have any experience with that incubator, though, unfortunately.)

Definitely post in the forum @Debbie292d posted for you, but we would also love to see them here, if you are willing to share pictures with us!

I hope your hatch goes well! Keep us posted!

Welcome to BackYard Chickens!

 

[sourland]

Hello, Ana, and welcome to BYC. Incubator should be running at proper humidity and temperature levels for at least 24 hours before adding eggs. Good luck for a successful incubation/hatch.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello Ana and welcome to BYC!

You've been given great advice above, definitely follow the links too. Make sure to rest the eggs for a day or two before setting, in egg cartons large end up, in a cool spot in the house. (Not the frig) Best wishes with your hatch!

Welcome to our community!

 

[SilverBirds]

Hello and welcome to BYC!
You should have your incubator running a few days before you set the eggs so everything can stabilize. The optimum temperature is 99.5F (or 37.5) but a 1-2 degree difference is no big deal for the most part. It's also advised to have other separate and calibrated readers in your incubator since the built-in ones are almost always off. I really like to use these. Wishing you the best of luck with your hatch.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC, Anna!