Tis Time for a March 2020 Hatch-a-long!

[Don 27]

I usually speak to fertility (things that progressed at all vs clears), and viable hatch rate vs total hatch rate.

So if 15 of 20 eggs are fertile/progress, that's a fertility rate of 75%, but 5 of those eggs quit or are DIS at hatch, that's a viable hatch rate of 67%. The total hatch rate would 50%.
Sometimes I even break it down further into the post-lockdown hatch rate, so I can see where things were just quitters versus where I had issues with hatching.

As a person who uses shipped eggs, I find this to be helpful, because it lets me figure out:
1) How many eggs I actually need to order based on my past experience;
2) Which sellers (or shipping routes) don't do well for me; and
3) Where the problems are with my technique/equipment.

All that to say . . . unless people are being specific, I don't think you can assume what a hatch rate means, but I concur with hysop that two numbers don't give you the whole picture.

I avoid buying eggs from southern hot states. Two two separate orders of red jungle fowl eggs from Texas and Florida both ended up cooked dead. Unfortunately red jungle fowl are more commonly kept in warmer climates.

 

[julskinka]

Ooooh replacement eggs came unexpectedly today. So I'm officially doing a staggered hatch! I'll set them either tonight or tomorrow depending on the air cells. Tomorrow is D14 for the stuff that's already in there. I am still kind of disappointed in the quality of the marans eggs, so I think if these fail and I have to try again, I'm going to go elsewhere for them. Which is a shame because I really like this breeder generally and I've gotten some good quality birds of other breeds from him.

 

[two j farm]

Anyone know anything about this incubator?

I have a few amazon gift cards and I'm looking for something bigger then the little giant that I have.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Anyone know anything about this incubator?

I have a few amazon gift cards and I'm looking for something bigger then the little giant that I have. View attachment 2036972

I occasionally read about people having success with the yellow top China-bators but I hear many more negative stories than positive so I would proceed with caution.

 

[Mosey2003]

Anyone know anything about this incubator?

I have a few amazon gift cards and I'm looking for something bigger then the little giant that I have. View attachment 2036972

I would never recommend one of those. I don't recommend Little Giant or Farm Incubators, either. My recommendation is always a GQF HovaBator, any of the models really. I also hear good things about the IncuView. But never a Chinese knockoff like those yellow ones, they have set people's houses on fire.

 

[julskinka]

I would never recommend one of those. I don't recommend Little Giant or Farm Incubators, either. My recommendation is always a GQF HovaBator, any of the models really. I also hear good things about the IncuView. But never a Chinese knockoff like those yellow ones, they have set people's houses on fire.

The Incuview is absolutely great, but capacity (if you use the automatic turner) is only 27 chicken eggs. So if they want a higher capacity incubator, that won't be it.

 

[FortCluck]

I have a question regarding egg turners. My Farm Innovator has the cupped turner that keeps the eggs upright. My Hovabator has the flat turner that rolls the eggs on their side. Has anyone done a comparison between the 2 types? What do you have?

I know someone who had one that lays on its side and they didn't like it. Theirs made the embryos stick to the side because it wasn't turning effectively. I like the upright turners myself.

 

[FortCluck]

I would never recommend one of those. I don't recommend Little Giant or Farm Incubators, either. My recommendation is always a GQF HovaBator, any of the models really. I also hear good things about the IncuView. But never a Chinese knockoff like those yellow ones, they have set people's houses on fire.

There's nothing wrong with Farm Innovator. I have the 4250 and I have amazing hatch rates. I'd recommend to anyone.

 

[Mosey2003]

The Incuview is absolutely great, but capacity (if you use the automatic turner) is only 27 chicken eggs. So if they want a higher capacity incubator, that won't be it.

I totally read the post wrong, sorry! Missed the meaning with the way the text wrapped around the picture.

In that case, I'd say go for a cabinet or a second foam one.

 

[FortCluck]

Anyone know anything about this incubator?

I have a few amazon gift cards and I'm looking for something bigger then the little giant that I have. View attachment 2036972

I got my farm innovator 4250 for $80 on amazon. It was randomly on sale. It only fits 42 eggs though. I love it and have had great success with it.