Need some help from experienced hatchers: 1. If I set eggs in the bator on the evening of the 8th, will any eggs on or before the 8th, hatch approx. the 28th? I am second guessing myself. 2. And any eggs set in the days after the 8th will be due to hatch approx. 20 days from that date? Correct? 3. What is the most critical time for hatching eggs? Setting, in the middle, or three days before they are due? Thanks for your help!
Quote:The 9th will then be Day 1. 21 days to hatch would be 29th/30th. Some chicks hatch a day early. It is unpredictable if any will hatch early on day 20. if they do hatch they will be fine in the bator as they need time to dry and fluff out and get to moving around. 24 - 36 hours in the bator is okay then move them to a warm brooder with fresh water and crumbles. Dip their little beaks and teach them to drink. Quote:Under the proper conditions of the perfect hatching temperatures and chicks should hatch in 21 days. It is 21 one days to complete the development and absorb the yolk. Quote:Every day is critical. In the beginning the first couple of days can be forgiving. Near the end you should stop turning on day 18 and boost the humidity to 70% so the chick can position itself in the shell for hatching and the right environment for them is developed. This is why it is stressed not to open the bator after day 18 and the setting of the eggs for the actual hatch. Hope this helps.
If you set your eggs late on the 8th the 9th would be day 1, so you would count 21 days from the 9th. Due date to me looks like the 29th. Any eggs you set after the 8th will hatch in about 21 days, when you have eggs in the bator on different hatch dates that is called a staggered hatch. They arent the best to do b/c you need to up the hum on day 18 for one hatch and the other hatch is behind and doesnt need the extra hum. But people do it !! IMO the last 3 days are the most critical days, stop turing, up the hum and DONT TOUCH the bator !! Also dont take chicks out in till all chicks have hatched (chicks can stay in there for up to 48 hours) if your doing a staggered hatch then after all the chicks from the first hatch are done, take them out get them hum back down asap till day 18 on the next set. Good luck
I agree with MissPrissy that every day is important but I will add that I believe the most important factor for a good hatch if your eggs have developed properly is the last 3 days. It is too easy to ruin a good hatch by being impatient and fiddling with the incubatior. Get it set properly and then LEAVE IT ALONE!
OK I'll ask a fairly obvious noob question. If you have water in the bator all the time, how do you inc the humidity?
Thank you all for your advice, it is truly helpful. The hatch will be staggered enough that I will have a few days before the next set are due to hatch, on the 6th of Dec. I will be taking the bator, on the road, with us on the 27th, to a poultry show. Returning home on the 30th. Simply put, I don't feel there is anyone I can rely on to care for them here, if necessary. I have covered my bases when it comes to a power supply for transport etc, and will have them in the hotel room. It is not ideal but is necessary. I have 9 eggs due on the 29th. Except for travel time, they will be well babysat and undisturbed. I have jokingly brought up on other threads, that I hope the hotel does not charge a pet deposit! If anybody is interested, I will keep you posted on the roadie ovids! Thanks again.
If you have water in the bator all the time, how do you inc the humidity? The amount of water in contact with the air (surface area) controls the humidity. That's why incubators have several different sections to a tray. You fill 1 section for most of the incubation time and then fill another section to increase the amount of water for hatching. Some in dry climates or using homemade incubators also use sponges. Sponges have a large surface area. Lots of water in contact with the air. Just making the water deeper does not have much impact on humidity because you have not increased the surface area.
