Okay. I haven't hatched any babies since like '04. So practically 7 years. I have successfully hatched chickens (large fowl and bantam), ducks, geese, turkeys, guineas, quail, and pheasants in my incubators. Usually I used a Sportsman with an automatic turner and moved them to a hatcher on the last three days. I have used Little Giants though with moderate success.
A friend contacted me after someone won an auction for 12+ Bourbon Red Turkey hatching eggs and asked me to try setting them. I have shipped eggs so I know this can be a total toss up as far as my success rate but at least it isn't so hot the bird's fertility should be affected yet.
The only incubator I have at my disposal right now is sadly a Little Giant incubator (Model # 9200). I have an automatic turner but not with me. It's in storage. I'd really rather turn them by hand but if the general consensus is the turner is the way to go then I'll go fetch it.
I'm bleaching the ba-jeezus out of the bottom tray right now and was wondering:
What are the thoughts on putting a cling wrap along the bottom of the bator to make clean-up easier at the end?
I'll be firing it up later tonight. I have two standard thermometers and a Brinsea Spot Check with a probe I leave in there all the time. I know I want the temperature between 99.5-100 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity between 55-60%, although I don't have a hygrometer. I'll pick one up tomorrow after work.
I remember several of my hatches in the past were poor in this incubator though. It was in the laundry room with fairly consistent temps. The eggs would develop and be completely formed but they would pip and never zip or not pip at all. Checking the eggs showed fully developed chicks who hadn't absorbed their yolk sacs. What is the general thought on that?
I'm not expecting a 100% hatch or anything but don't want to complete disappoint this lady. So I know I don't have the best bator but if anyone has any advice on this model (other than chunking it in the trash) or helpful tips I would appreciate it.
What are the thoughts on dry incubation? And what views on incubating have changed since my last lock down? I feel like I've been out of the loop for too long.
By the way I have her settling the eggs tonight before she brings them to me and I'll probably let them sit the day with me and set them in the evening. Night hatches are better because I sleep through all the nerves...lol
A friend contacted me after someone won an auction for 12+ Bourbon Red Turkey hatching eggs and asked me to try setting them. I have shipped eggs so I know this can be a total toss up as far as my success rate but at least it isn't so hot the bird's fertility should be affected yet.
The only incubator I have at my disposal right now is sadly a Little Giant incubator (Model # 9200). I have an automatic turner but not with me. It's in storage. I'd really rather turn them by hand but if the general consensus is the turner is the way to go then I'll go fetch it.
I'm bleaching the ba-jeezus out of the bottom tray right now and was wondering:
What are the thoughts on putting a cling wrap along the bottom of the bator to make clean-up easier at the end?
I'll be firing it up later tonight. I have two standard thermometers and a Brinsea Spot Check with a probe I leave in there all the time. I know I want the temperature between 99.5-100 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity between 55-60%, although I don't have a hygrometer. I'll pick one up tomorrow after work.
I remember several of my hatches in the past were poor in this incubator though. It was in the laundry room with fairly consistent temps. The eggs would develop and be completely formed but they would pip and never zip or not pip at all. Checking the eggs showed fully developed chicks who hadn't absorbed their yolk sacs. What is the general thought on that?
I'm not expecting a 100% hatch or anything but don't want to complete disappoint this lady. So I know I don't have the best bator but if anyone has any advice on this model (other than chunking it in the trash) or helpful tips I would appreciate it.
What are the thoughts on dry incubation? And what views on incubating have changed since my last lock down? I feel like I've been out of the loop for too long.
By the way I have her settling the eggs tonight before she brings them to me and I'll probably let them sit the day with me and set them in the evening. Night hatches are better because I sleep through all the nerves...lol
