Sportsma Incubator

[greyfields]

You absolutely should disinfect eggs before putting them in the incubator. I use a food grade egg sanitizer.

The flashing light on the side just indicates the auto-turn is on.

The key with the Sportsman is to ensure proper humidity. There are several flaps in the back which can be opened and closed to adjust the humidity levels. Either get a hygrometer or use the wet-build temperature off your thermometer.

I find that with my 1502 the pan with water is ample humidity. You shouldn't need the wicks until prior to hatch.

 

[Crunchie]

Well if it's for hatching eggs, then I can only assume it's OK--I just wasn't aware that there was anything to safely wash eggs for for hatching. I tend to do things the old-fashioned way, though!

 

[greyfields]

Also, if your thermometer is the kind that sticks through the side, it probably got "twisted". You can re-calibrate it by twisting the base underneath the dial if you have a control temperature from another thermometer.

 

[greentree]

Greyfields,
Thanks!! That is exactly what happened to the thermometer..

The eggs are washed and in the incubator, so time will tell.

Nancy

 

[greentree]

The eggs have now been candled twice, we are on day 15....Only 19 of the Dom eggs are working!!! I started with 49... My brother thinks perhaps he has too many roosters. I think we need to seperate them into breeding groups. He doesn't have a lot of space, though!!

6 of the Cochins are still good(out of 10). They may be Cochalorps, though, since I took those eggs pretty about a week after I seperated them.

I am calling GQF today to see if a clear door can get here in time ....I want to see the HATCH!!

Nancy

 

[twigg]

You absolutely should disinfect eggs before putting them in the incubator. I use a food grade egg sanitizer

Well yes and no to this one.

Eggs are basically sterile inside. So should the incubator be if it was cleaned properly.

Eggs have a protective coating designed to resist bacterial penetration. This is removed when washing or sanitising.

None of this matters much if the sanitising is done correctly, but oftentimes it isn't. Follow the instructions to the letter, and do not chuck in an extra teaspoonful *for luck*.

Where eggs do need washing (with the proper stuff) is where they are particularly dirty. Often applies to duck eggs, but less so for chickens. Good husbandry generally makes chicken eggs not need this process.

So .... washing any but dirty eggs isn't necessary, washing dirty eggs is, but it must be done right. Washing done right will not harm clean eggs, but the process has some attendant risks.​