What is a hatcher

[digger455]

As you can tell I am new at this, What is a hatcher and what do they look like? Is this something I can build. I have a little giant incubater and the pekin ducklings that I just hatched a few of them hit there head on heating coiland it did not look like it feel to good for them. Had no idea they were big enought to do that. By the way none were hurt. So if some of you can show me a photo so I can see what they look like. Thanks

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't use a hatcher so I can't show you photos. All they are is another incubator that is set up for hatching. Some people use one specific incubator during the incubation period, but when they go into lockdown they use a different incubator for the chicks to hatch in. There can be several different reasons they use a separate hatcher instead of hatching in the incubator.

So a hatcher is basically an incubator, but you don't need to turn the eggs while they are in there. You still need to control humidity and provide heat.

 

[mandelyn]

Incubator: Used to hatch chicks

Hatcher: Separate incubator used for the last 3 days of incubation, for the chicks to hatch in.

Brooder: Box or cage that has a warm space heated to 95 degrees, and a cooler area for them to escape to as needed if they get too warm. Unless you build it big, for ducks it's only good till about 2-3 weeks of age. They grow REALLY fast.

Grow out pen: For when they need less heat but aren't quite old enough to be outside or with the flock. Larger than the brooder they started in, change size as needed for growth.