thinking about incubating

[shaggy]

i picked up some chicks in april one of them was a barred rock rooster --- the hens look like they are finally getting ready to lay


currently all i have laying is a 14 month old RIR. she is laying every other day.

my friend has an incubator but i have never used one or ever hatched eggs. none of my hens are broody, so it does not look like i can get a momma hen to do it. i know the eggs are fertilized (bullseye) but i am not sure how to do it.

my main issue is that the barred rock rooster will have to go soon ... crowing in city limits - not sure how long i can get away with it ... i would rather hatch some eggs now than wait till spring and buy new chicks.

should i turn the incubator on and everyday they lay an egg put it in the incubator?

should i get the first egg and wait 3-4 days before turning on the incubator and put all the eggs in there as they are laid?


any opinions?




i think it will be interesting -- BR/RIR cross ... BR/BR .. and BR/Ameraucana cross

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

You will need to collect your eggs for up to a week or so depending on how many you want. Keep them cool but not cold, then set them in the pre heated incubator. You won't have much sucess adding a few at a time as changes to humidity are needed the last 3 days before hatch. Losts of info on the process to read here and elsewhere.

 

[Olive Hill]

If you put the eggs in as they're laid they'll be set to hatch at all different times. Since you need to put them in lock down for the last 3 days of their incubation having them staggered like that is not a good idea. Instead, collect up the eggs she lays for 7-10 days and set them in the incubator all at once.

 

[shaggy]

Quote:
the more the merrier i always say ... my flock has suffered some losses recently


a week ... 7 days ... if only one is laying --- that might mean 3-4 eggs


cool ... but not cold ... could that be room temperature ... 60-75 degree's?