What do I do now?

[Gayle-the-Australorp]

So I tried incubating a fertile egg from Trader Joe's having read about other people who tried it.

Well having compared it to photos of fertile eggs from day 1-3, mine definitely was a dud.
I carefully opened it up and no sign of life whatsoever.


I think the eggs being 2 weeks old was part of the reason.


I'm tempted to try again with another egg from the same carton but I'm afraid of getting the same results.


So...my question is should I try again this time or wait?

 

[Gayle-the-Australorp]

I think where I went wrong is using an alternative incubation method from Google which resulted in issues with heat and humidity. Plus I think my being nervous and past failures got the better of me.

 

[Lilmissesmom]

I think where I went wrong is using an alternative incubation method from Google which resulted in issues with heat and humidity. Plus I think my being nervous and past failures got the better of me.

What kind of incubation?

 

[Gayle-the-Australorp]

Here's the link:

https://www.cuteness.com/article/give-egg-heat-incubator

I went back through some posts the Trader Joe's thread and read about someone else who tried between 10 days or more and nothing happened.

 

[Lilmissesmom]

​Here's the link:

https://www.cuteness.com/article/give-egg-heat-incubator

I went back through some posts the Trader Joe's thread and read about someone else who tried between 10 days or more and nothing happened.

Wow! A 45 watt lightbulb in a small space like the article mentioned would be wayyyyy to hot and hand warmers as well if right on the egg. The rice in a sock and microwaved would be uneven heating. And none give adequate humidity. If you want an inexpensive DIY incubator, google DIY incubators. I made one from a plastic tote. Cut a hole in the side and put in a small glass like in a small picture frame, that gives you a viewing window. Put small ventilation holes in the top, 2 should be good, and 2 on each side. If still air ( no fan) make sure temp is 102. If fan is installed, temp 99.5. Put a small cup or dish filled with lukewarm distilled water in. There are many videos on dyi incubators on youtube as well.

 

[Lilmissesmom]

Wow! A 45 watt lightbulb in a small space like the article mentioned would be wayyyyy to hot and hand warmers as well if right on the egg. The rice in a sock and microwaved would be uneven heating. And none give adequate humidity. If you want an inexpensive DIY incubator, google DIY incubators. I made one from a plastic tote. Cut a hole in the side and put in a small glass like in a small picture frame, that gives you a viewing window. Put small ventilation holes in the top, 2 should be good, and 2 on each side. If still air ( no fan) make sure temp is 102. If fan is installed, temp 99.5. Put a small cup or dish filled with lukewarm distilled water in. There are many videos on dyi incubators on youtube as well.

As for lightbulb, i used a 25 watt bulb

 

[Gayle-the-Australorp]

Ok, now I see where I messed up..

Not sure if I could use these to make a homemade incubator, it's just what I have on hand at the moment:

Plastic storage container, (it's one of those clear ones they sell at Target, Staples, etc...)

Plenty of old towels and shirts.

20 watt bulb

 

[Lilmissesmom]

Ok, now I see where I messed up..

Not sure if I could use these to make a homemade incubator, it's just what I have on hand at the moment:

Plastic storage container, (it's one of those clear ones they sell at Target, Staples, etc...)

Plenty of old towels and shirts.

20 watt bulb

You could get the plastic totes at the Dollar Store for a buck. If the tote is small a 20 watt might work, set up the bator and see if the temp holds.

 

[Gayle-the-Australorp]

Good to know.

The container I have holds 6 Qt.

The 20 watt bulb I have was for my desk lamp which sadly broke beyond repair. Only other option I have would be a 15 watt 120v which is what my lava lamp has.

 

[Lilmissesmom]

Good to know.

The container I have holds 6 Qt.

The 20 watt bulb I have was for my desk lamp which sadly broke beyond repair. Only other option I have would be a 15 watt 120v which is what my lava lamp has.

Not sure 15 watts would be enough. Worth a try anyway. Try the dollar store for a 25 watt bulb.