Tomorrow evening is lockdown.

[Kiki]

My RIR rooster decided he wanted to take (and fail) swimming lessons in my water trough.

RIR cockerels of any quality are hard to find in my parts, so I dusted off the never used incubator from the garage. I calibrated it, tossed 25 eggs in it and now tomorrow is lockdown.

I have a couple questions. Thus far has been dry incubating. 30% give or take humidity. What do I shoot for during lockdown and hatch?

Do I lower temp to hatch or just leave them cooking at same temp?


I'm excited. I had RIR covering RIR pullets and Barred Rock hens. I will probably wind up with all pullets because I'm trying for a few RIR Cockerels. But, I'll have laying pullets just in time for spring. (Unless I flub the lockdown/hatch)

I do not lower the temperature in my incubator ever.
I only raise the humidity to about 50% for hatch time.

 

[Kiki]

@Kiki Advice please?

I'm sorry... Next time if I don't respond quickly just PM me.

 

[Kiki]

So.... day 19 and I'm having external pips..... I think I overcooked them.

Did not realize how noisy of a process this was.

Do you not have calibrated thermometers in your incubator nutter?

 

[Kiki]

View attachment 2928738
This one is going to be called cool aid man. Last to pip. First to crash out like coolaid dude.

How is this one doing now?
Is it okay?

 

[HumbleAmerican]

How is this one doing now?
Is it okay?

8 and counting. Only 16 more to go

 

[Sally PB]

Sending positive waves for a successful hatch which includes another great boy for your flock.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

Do you not have calibrated thermometers in your incubator nutter?

Yes. The average was 37.5 for most of it. This cheap bator has about .25 swing up and down. I removed turner for lockdown and it jumped to 39. I think they hatched for self preservation.

 

[Sally PB]

Pictures....??

 

[HumbleAmerican]

 

[HumbleAmerican]