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New to Incubating eggs and hatching??

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by Mrsroeder2012, Jul 24, 2013.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jul 24, 2013 #1
    Mrsroeder2012

    Mrsroeder2012 Chirping

    89
    1
    86
    Aug 8, 2012
    Jamestown,Ky
    My Coop
    I am wanting to Incubate some Polish eggs and I would like to know everything there is to know about this, what type of Incubator do I need and what does the temp need to be, Etc......... I won't be doing this until next year in spring but I like to know about it now so I will know later....so please enlighten me with all ur info about this. thank you...... [​IMG]
     
  2. Jul 25, 2013 #2
    Sage874

    Sage874 In the Brooder

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    31
    Aug 22, 2012
    Hello Mrs....well I am a novice. This is my first hatching but I've been very pleased so far.
    I did tons of research as well as reading here and asking many ?s.
    I ended up buying a Hov-A-Bator w/ warm air and an egg turner. I LOVE it.
    2 windows for viewing. A good thermometer too, keep it near a window and use a mag flashlite to peek inside.
    I took a while to calibrate the thing to get to the 99.5-100 degrees but got there. Be sure you take a week or so to get yours.
    The water, I put a few drops of food coloring in the water so I could SEE the level and NOT open it alot to check.
    Then I read here! that an aquarium tube thru one of the vents works a trick to add water! It did! I used a 5cc syringe w/o needle.
    Available at any TSC or vet. Remember always add hot water not cold.
    Then at day 17-18 I removed the egg turner, put a wet paper towel between the rez and the wire.
    I filedl the second rez at about day 17-18 and then leave it alone!!! I did. My flashlite got overworked tho.
    I did candle at 1 week and at 15 days to remove any duds.
    Now at day 23 I have 10 happy chicks with 10 more eggs which I will give more time.

    Once these lil darlins are done, I'll be doing a dozen easter eggers. This batch were bantams so it will be interesting to see how the small egg vs the large ones do.
    Good luck,,,btw put the incubator on a low table where it is warm, no air conditioning. If you can't put a sweater on it.
    I moved mine to my spare bedroom and it is 82 in there so if I pop it open to grab a chick and egg I don't lose much.
    The brooder, a pack n play is close by and set up for the damp peeps with a good light for heat.
    I use wee wee pads initially for footing, SO easy to clean with no bacteria.
    Looking forward to another newbie's stories. So please share.
    Sage
     
  3. Jul 25, 2013 #3
    Mrsroeder2012

    Mrsroeder2012 Chirping

    89
    1
    86
    Aug 8, 2012
    Jamestown,Ky
    My Coop
    Well...... Thank you, this was Very helpful and I will do what you did so I will do it right and have healthy baby's........I'm looking forward to doing this, since this will be my first time. Excited! After the baby's hatch, How long do u keep them in the incubator, and do I feed them right away or do I wait? Do I need to show them how to eat and drink water? When you moved the egg turner, im worried that the eggs might cool them off and might turn bad, could that happen or NO? I'm sry if im asking to much questions but I want to know everything, this is important to me..........Im also afraid to candle them like how are u supposed to hold and do I need to just grad one egg at a time quickly and never leave the lid open while doing it or what. Ill leave you with this and get back with me and let me know Please and thank you !!!!
     

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