Two breeds in incubator. When do I remove the automatic turner?

[broodybird]

I've purchased 12 bantam cochin eggs and 10 bantam silkie eggs. I presume since they're both bantam breeds, I should be safe to put them all in the incubator together (?)

In theory, they'll all hatch at the same time. However, bantams often tend to hatch early. So when should I lock down?

With standard eggs, I usually remove the egg turner mechanism from the incubator and lock down on Day 18. But since I have two different breeds going in at the same time -- both of which may hatch early -- I'm unclear as to when I should remove the egg turner.

This will be my first attempt at hatching a mix of breeds simultaneously and I'm growing nervous. I had a very poor hatch ratio last time so I want to be extra careful this time around. Thanks for your help!

 

[nuthatched]

Yes, bantams sometimes tend to hatch a bit early so lock down on day 17.

 

[MysteryChicken]

100% safe to mix different breeds eggs in the incubator.

Bantam, or large fowl, both sometimes hatch early. The earliest I've had a Largefowl chick hatch was day, 19.

The earliest I had a bantam hatch was also day 19.


Lockdown can actually be done on days 16, & 17 at the earliest no matter if it's bantam, or Largefowl. Day 18 is fine to lockdown on. Some people don't lockdown until they see the first pip.

 

[Kiki]

Taking the turner out a day or two earlier than you normal would will not cause harm.

Taking the turner out 3 days earlier than you normally would will not cause harm.

Turning is much more important at the very beginning of incubation than it is at the end.

 

[broodybird]

Awesome, thank you everyone! I'll plan to pull it out at Day 17.

My last hatch was a dreadful disaster. Everything that could possibly go wrong, did go wrong -- including the incubator breaking down mid way! I had to get a replacement, FAST. I also think my humidity was much too high. Several chicks made it to full development, then died at the very end inside the shell. I opened each failed egg and confirmed, they had in fact drowned.

Anyway, I've been wracked with guilt ever since and am committed to getting it right this time or that last hatch will only wind up being a waste. This is my attempt at redemption

 

[MysteryChicken]

Awesome, thank you everyone! I'll plan to pull it out at Day 17.

My last hatch was a dreadful disaster. Everything that could possibly go wrong, did go wrong -- including the incubator breaking down mid way! I had to get a replacement, FAST. I also think my humidity was much too high. Several chicks made it to full development, then died at the very end inside the shell. I opened each failed egg and confirmed, they had in fact drowned.

Anyway, I've been wracked with guilt ever since and am committed to getting it right this time or that last hatch will only wind up being a waste. This is my attempt at redemption

Just a quick tip.

Never trust the built in Incubator Hygrometers, & Thermometers. Always get seperate hygrometers, & thermometers, calibrate before use, & put those in.

I made the same mistake my first few attempts at incubating, & drowned chicks.

 

[broodybird]

Already ordered, I def will do that this time around. I set the humidity at 60-70% at the very end, exactly per the incubator instructions. But if the gauge was incorrect, the actual humidity could easily have been much higher. Lesson learned. Thank you.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Already ordered, I def will do that this time around. I set the humidity at 60-70% at the very end, exactly per the incubator instructions. But if the gauge was incorrect, the actual humidity could easily have been much higher. Lesson learned. Thank you.

I set my humidity according to what the house humidity is. If humidity is low, it takes more water to get back to your humidity level. If it's very humid, little to no water is needed.

Day 1 through 17, I use 35% - 45% humidity for incubating.

Lockdown I boost to 55% - 65%.

 

[MysteryChicken]

What incubator model do you use? Is it still air, or forced air?

 

[broodybird]

Forced air. This is the same exact model I have, I just bought mine locally instead of from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TTYLIKY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1