Shipped Eggs....(just to be sure)

[paulapern]

I've been reading and I just want to see if I'm understanding. I'm waiting for my incubator (thanks to everyone who wrote opinions about incubators) I bought a Hova Bator Incubator (Model 1602N) with fan and automatic turner. I assume I need to turn it on and check temps and humidity for a day or two (?)
I am also waiting for a dozen Buckeye eggs I won on a 4H auction. I never win anything but should have known I would win this one because I'm not prepared and NOW I'm scared stiff I will kill them all.

If I read correctly:
I leave them upright at room temp for 24 hours (?)
I put them in the pre-warmed incubator, upright, and do not turn for at least two days or more- someone wrote 7 days.
Then I incubate with turner until day 19, turn it off and hope.

I will read about candling later.
I also think I read about putting a mat under the eggs after day 19 to protect chick eggs but I have to reread.

One additional question: sink water or distilled?

Thanks,
Paula

PS Once I get things settled I'll post photos and an intro. if anyone is interested I am taking weekly photos of the 8 Welsummer and 3 Americauna chicks I bought two weeks ago, on Facebook. Interesting size/developement differences in the chicks already.

 

[tec27]

so you'll want to test your incubator by setting it up now and letting it run for at least 24 hours to make sure it keeps temp and humidity. i dont worry about humidity the first 18 days. so my humidity is around 20-30 percent. Turning stops on day 18 and boost the humidity to around 60-70. Water doesnt matter. Distilled, sink, doesnt matter.

Leave them with the large end up for 24 hours. You dont really have to do this. It settles the egg from the shipping process and can possibly reattached detached air cells. You put them in the same way in the incubator. I don't turn for 3 days. 7 seems a little much. Im not a big egg turner but i begin turning on day 3 and then turn once a day maybe.

 

[paulapern]

Pittsburgh, eh?
I live near Johnstown; went to Pitt, Pittsburgh many many years ago.

Thanks for the reinforcement. I'm going with your advice.

Paula

 

[mollybuck]

i let mine sit upright for the day, but that wasnt intentional... i got them and the bator from my dad at the same time and i had to get the bator ready. i put them in the turner big and up and let it go right from the beginining...i didnt find this place til after... but i still had 8 of the 14 go into lockdown.

good luck!!

 

[tec27]

Pittsburgh, eh?
I live near Johnstown; went to Pitt, Pittsburgh many many years ago.

Thanks for the reinforcement. I'm going with your advice.

Paula

I just graduated from Pitt in April. lol. Small world.

 

[chickydee64]

Pittsburgh, eh?
I live near Johnstown; went to Pitt, Pittsburgh many many years ago.

Thanks for the reinforcement. I'm going with your advice.

Paula

don't forget to remove the turner on day 18............they can get caught in it............................