Turkey egg incubation 2.0

[Anita Scott]

I aim around 50-60% humidity. I fill about 20-35% of the tray with water, since the humidity stays more consistent with deeper water in a smaller space. When I spread the water out, the humidity gets too high quick and the water evaporates quicker.

I actually add the eggs to my incubator daily, so I never really have a lockdown period. I move the eggs to the bottom without a turner for the last 3 days. My hatch rates are normally pretty good.

I use a permanent marker and date my eggs, and this year I am putting a code for the hen if I know it. I have bbb and standard hens, but the toms are standard. Not quite sure what the bbb will turn out to be. I plan to use a bit of spray paint to mark any bbb mix poults, like the hatchery had done.

 

[R2elk]

I plan to use a bit of spray paint to mark any bbb mix poults, like the hatchery had done.

Do not use paint. It is okay to use dye.

 

[cmobley]

Got in from work glanced over at the bators when walking in the door noticed the humidity in both at 54% so I popped the top on both for a second walked off. Then I noticed that smell of deadness. Went back over and my turkey bator was reeking. Pulled the top started candling eggs pulled out 8 clears one was rotten. Both rotten eggs I had were the 2 largest eggs i had. So outta 17 eggs im already down to 8. But those 8 were very alive.

 

[Anita Scott]

Got in from work glanced over at the bators when walking in the door noticed the humidity in both at 54% so I popped the top on both for a second walked off. Then I noticed that smell of deadness. Went back over and my turkey bator was reeking. Pulled the top started candling eggs pulled out 8 clears one was rotten. Both rotten eggs I had were the 2 largest eggs i had. So outta 17 eggs im already down to 8. But those 8 were very alive.

I checked my eggs today. They are all looking pretty good. I took 1 clear one out last week which was from the first eggs that I found. I have over 30 good eggs right now.
My BBB/cross with a std bronze Tom mix finally started laying and her eggs are bigger than my standard bronze girls. She is a year older also.
Has anyone had experience with a BBB hen/std tom mix and what they might hatch?

 

[Anita Scott]

Do not use paint. It is okay to use dye.

I will mix a little dye and paint it on their tiny heads.

 

[R2elk]

I checked my eggs today. They are all looking pretty good. I took 1 clear one out last week which was from the first eggs that I found. I have over 30 good eggs right now.
My BBB/cross with a std bronze Tom mix finally started laying and her eggs are bigger than my standard bronze girls. She is a year older also.
Has anyone had experience with a BBB hen/std tom mix and what they might hatch?

I crossed a BBW with a Bourbon Red tom. It resulted in a Red Bronze tom that was nearly as large as the BBW toms that I raised at the time.

 

[cmobley]

Can i put poults on sand thats been used for chicks and ducks or better to use new sand due to cross contamination?

 

[R2elk]

Can i put poults on sand thats been used for chicks and ducks or better to use new sand due to cross contamination?

If blackhead is a problem in your4 area, do not put turkey poults on sand that chickens have been on. Chicks have not been contaminated by histomoniasis so can't pass it on to poults but adult chickens could.

If blackhead is not a problem in your area, there is no need to worry about it.

On the other hand, I use freshly dug sand for each batch that goes in the brooder whether it is chicks, poults or keets.

 

[cmobley]

Eggs go into lockdown on Wednesday hopefully I get some to hatch and live. This is what I raised quail on at one time it seemed to do really good for them. Does this have adequate minerals for turkeys also or do I need to get something else before they get here.

 

[R2elk]

Eggs go into lockdown on Wednesday hopefully I get some to hatch and live. This is what I raised quail on at one time it seemed to do really good for them. Does this have adequate minerals for turkeys also or do I need to get something else before they get here. View attachment 2610905View attachment 2610906

Perfect!