Newbie - just got an incubator, have questions, HELP!

[RobinFarmGirl]

Thank you both for continuing to reply to me!!! I do appreciate it...

Will it be okay if I stick with the thermometers that came with the incubator? I still need to let it run for the suggested 48 hrs. With little water; & see how the temp holds up (and humidity). Does this sound like a plan???

SDM111, what is the difference in an incubator and a hatcher?

Robin

 

[sdm111]

Basically a hatcher is an incubator without the turner. Their are specifically made hatchers but I just use a styrofoam incubator without the turner. It's easier to just move the eggs on lockdown to not have the hassle of removing the turner or if u have staggered hatches in the incubator just remove the ones for lockdown. There's also dual units that have turners on top and hatching trays on bottom. My setup is two incubators on top and hatcher on bottom in a cabinet with a door to keep drafts off. Let's say u have 40 eggs in your incubator with turner, 20 are on day 18 and 20 still have 12 days to go. What do you do?

 

[sdm111]

Closed

And personally I wouldn't trust either thermometer that they come with

 

[RobinFarmGirl]

What a very good setup you have! (2 incubators). For now, I will just move the egg turner (and have same day hatches) and will have to save $$ for a second incubator.

Would you be so kind as to let me know if my plan is good?

Run the incubator for the suggested 48 hrs
(1) remove both plugs from top of incubator
(2) temp should be 99.5F
(3) humidity should be (PLEASE ADVISE)

Day 7, 14, 18 = candle eggs

Day 19 = lockdown

I've read to NOT open the lid from lockdown day 19 until day 23
I've read to replace one plug on day 20 (and to replace it whenever necessary to adjust temp)
I've read lots of stuff on adding water (not a lot) and that will help with humidity correct?

I think I could go on and on with questions and scenarios.....

Your help is greatly appreciated!!
Robin

 

[sdm111]

1) if you're gonna run without the plugs remove them with initial startup
2) correct with forced air
3) not above 30% during days 1-18

Upon lockdown up humidity to approx 70-80% ( which is why it is said to put one plug in to hold the humidity in ) you'll see the windows condensate
And since you're new to this don't open the incubator during lockdown no matter how much u want to

 

[sdm111]

Chicks will live for 3 days without food or water. I would cease operations on day 24. For newly hatched chicks I use the big tote from walmart or dollar store. Get a clamp light with reflector and a 250w preferably red ( to reduce picking ) heat bulb. Pine shavings for litter clamp the light on one end pointed as straight down as it'll go. Get a chick waterer put aquarium glass beads in it ( the new chicks will drink water from between, beads are so if they fall in they won't drown) as u take them out the incubator dip their beak in the water then into the medicated starter that I just pour a line across the floor of the brooder right onto the shavings to get them to scratch and work for it an set them under the light Do that with each chick and before long they will get the hint. Once one figures it out it will teach the rest.

 

[sdm111]

Get a 125w bulb too and if the shavings feel hot use the 125 instead of the 250. Use the glass thermometer that came with the incubator in the brooder since you're not doing anything with it anyway since u got a meat thermometer for the incubator itself ( hint )

 

[RobinFarmGirl]

1) if you're gonna run without the plugs remove them with initial startup
2) correct with forced air
3) not above 30% during days 1-18

Upon lockdown up humidity to approx 70-80% ( which is why it is said to put one plug in to hold the humidity in ) you'll see the windows condensate
And since you're new to this don't open the incubator during lockdown no matter how much u want to

Fabulous info!!! Thank you.

I understand not to open the incubator on lock down but how am I to add water during that time as I have read in some articles? One says to roll up paper towels & put in the water channesl (I have a liner) and then a paper towel on the wire rack in the incubator. When do i do this?

info from here = https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/incubation-cheat-sheet

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sdm111]

IMO if I were u I would fill all the channels with warm water when I took the turner out at lockdown u won't need to add anymore before it's over unless u live in a super dry area. Those few days isn't enough time to have negative affects of very high humidity and if u feel it's too high u can take the other plug out to help lower it some. Since it's ur first time this will be a learning experience. Just remember it's trial and error. THere is optimum humidity for lockdown but I don't believe there can be too much. Maybe the chicks won't be fully dry when u need to take them out but that's ok they'll be fine.

 

[sdm111]

Not saying they're not good ideas but don't overcomplicate ur first time. Keep it simple and it'll be way less stressful