The 8th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!!!!

[geina]

Isn't it to early to save your eggs for a march 25 in date? I'm gonna put in more this wk and then be ready for the 25 to with more eggs. You all have started something with me and incubation. This is addictive.

 

[Glaseria]

I'm looking into incubators and am wondering which one to buy!

I would like a no fuss no muss no coconuts, plug in and play, auto turning one that can handle any egg

(mainly duck and quail), and has a good hatch rate. Any suggestions? Also what has been your experience with said model, pros and cons of it and the hatch rate you've had when that model was in use.

Sincerely,
Your Fellow Homesteader,
Glaseria

...

 

[jwlpoultry]

I'm looking into incubators and am wondering which one to buy!

I would like a no fuss no muss no coconuts, plug in and play, auto turning one that can handle any egg

(mainly duck and quail), and has a good hatch rate. Any suggestions? Also what has been your experience with said model, pros and cons of it and the hatch rate you've had when that model was in use.

Sincerely,
Your Fellow Homesteader,
Glaseria

...

Well I am not an expert but have used several kinds of incubators so here it goes.

My favorite incubator is my Incuview XL it is a cabinet that holds about 225+ chicken eggs. I have a Humidikit from Incubator Warehouse hooked to it so I don't have to open during incubation except to candle and it makes us super simple to add water. The temperature in the bator is really consistent. You lay the eggs on their sides and it rolls them so it is more natural.
I can't think of any cons for this incubator I almost always have a 95% hatch rate with this incubator

My 2nd favorite is my Brinsea Octagon 20 it doesn't hold as many eggs but it holds temperature and humidity really well and I like the way it tilts the eggs. Only con for this one is it's too small LOL. This incubator normally gives me about 98% hatched and holds about 20 eggs depending on the size of the eggs.

3rd Favorite would be my Genesis Hovabator it Holds 41 eggs and the temperature is pretty decent not as good as my Incuview or Brinsea but it is still very good. Cons it is a little harder to clean than my Incuview and Brinsea but otherwise great incubator.
This incubator The lowest hatch was about 88% hatch but averages about a 92-93% have had a 100% before.

Hope this helps.

 

[The Duck Ladie]

How do you store them? I would assume they are waiting for the day you put them in the incubator?

Sincerely,
Your Fellow Homesteader,
Glaseria

...

I have them in a cooler in the garage, where the temp. is about 60 oF. Yes they are waiting for the day i put them in the bator (a week from now)

 

[Happy Chooks]

Isn't it to early to save your eggs for a march 25 in date? I'm gonna put in more this wk and then be ready for the 25 to with more eggs. You all have started something with me and incubation. This is addictive.

It's early for chickens, yes. But some people are hatching other fowl.

 

[wabbit1964]

Isn't it to early to save your eggs for a march 25 in date? I'm gonna put in more this wk and then be ready for the 25 to with more eggs. You all have started something with me and incubation. This is addictive.

Hi geina,

The eggs I'm collecting right now will be a separate hatch. I am hoping to buy some special eggs to put in the incubator for the March 25th set date instead of using my backyard mix..

 

[wabbit1964]

I'm doing this!! I'm hatching out green layers for St. Patrick's Day (get it? lol) and a bunch of others for this hatch-a-long. I think people will buy ducks before and after Easter. I wish I could have them here in town, but I just don't have the ambition to clean out a kiddie pool at least once a day...been there, done that. No thanks, lol. But I do miss my duckie girls...they were so sweet! I say go for it. I'd be willing to bet you can sell them all.

Oh what a great idea to hatch green layers for St. Patricks day. I don't have any green layers in my flock. Mine all lay brown except for one EE. Neat idea. Duck Lady if I were near you I would say yes definitely people will buy ducks. Last spring my daughter and I hunted all over our area for ducklings for sale. One thing I noted recently reading hatchery catalogues is that they increase the duck price 2 weeks before Easter

 

[Glaseria]

I have them in a cooler in the garage, where the temp. is about 60 oF. Yes they are waiting for the day i put them in the bator (a week from now)

Would 60 degrees fahrenheit also work for quail and duck eggs too? Also how long are they viable at that temp?

Sincerely,
Your Fellow Homesteader,
Glaseria

...

 

[The Duck Ladie]

Would 60 degrees fahrenheit also work for quail and duck eggs too? Also how long are they viable at that temp?

Sincerely,
Your Fellow Homesteader,
Glaseria

...

60 definitely works for duck eggs, that what I am storing right now! Not sure about quail. It's best to store duck eggs no longer than 8 days, they may still be viable longer but the hatch percentage isn't as high, don't forget you have to let them sit at room temp. (70) before going in the incubator.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Would 60 degrees fahrenheit also work for quail and duck eggs too? Also how long are they viable at that temp?

Sincerely,
Your Fellow Homesteader,
Glaseria

...

10 days is for optimal viability stored with big end (air cell) up, but they can be viable up to 3 weeks... @ronott1 mentioned long term storage with the pointy end up in the fridge... storing eggs is pretty much the same across the species/breeds...