winter hatch

[teresa42299]

it did but I can't find them

 

[gimmie birdies]

okay. I don't have that incubator. if you start another thread asking anyone if they have the kind of incubator I am sure you will get help. good luck

 

[davemonkey]

little giant Styrofoam still air

In a still-air incubator, if you measure temp at the top of the eggs, then keep it at 102. This will give you an average temp of 99.5 through the egg. I learned this the hard way in a Little Giant still-air. But don't get too concerned about having that temp PERFECT. I still had a really good hatch even though I was on the cool side. Also, if you have lots of room (empty space), place a mason jar (with a tightly secured lid) filled with warm (100 degree) water on its side inside the incubator. This will give you a temperature buffer for moments when you need to open the incubator. IF you are in a very humid climate you won't need to fill all the wells in the bottom full of water until lock-down.

ETA: Your incubator will also have 2 red plugs to place in the top of the incubator. They are intended for boosting humnidity for hatch. I would not use them because they also reduce air flow, and your baby chicks need air. IF you use tehm at all, use them from Day 1 to Day 10 and then take them out. IF you need to boost humidity, use the water wells in the bottom of the incubator and extra wet sponges (even place those in small bowls) as needed. But do not cut down on air flow...let them BREATHE!

 

[teresa42299]

I already put the chicken eggs in last night. I put one of the red vent plugs in and using the turner. I didn't plug it in, but will tonight and filled the middle and part of the left well. I didn't plug in the duck eggs yet. I have the 8 dollar hygrometer from walmart on its side reading 100 for temperature and 73 for humidity. is this all right?

 

[gimmie birdies]

I don't measure moisture- I have home made incubator and dry hatch.

 

[maryjrain]

I'm incubating my first eggs too (chicken), and they are due the 26th . I only have 3 eggs in the tiny incubator, but I'm very excited and we've candled them twice and they're developing, despite our primative little incubator! Christmas chicks! I'm excited for your results!

 

[davemonkey]

Sounds fine...but I don't really know anything about duck eggs. Seems like they want higher humidity for ducks eggs? I don't measure humidity either...just judge based on air cell development whether it's too humid or too dry. When you candle at Day 7 and 10, draw pencil lines around the air cell to check how much it grows. In the meantime, take time to read through these articles:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-incubate-hatch-eggs-using-the-dry-incubation-method

 

[teresa42299]

my results for my first chicken eggs were really good. we had about 20 eggs and a good bit of them hatched. I cant wait to see the results for my first duck eggs. would it be ok if I put the ducks eggs in the incubator now? temp 100 humidity 75

 

[davemonkey]

my results for my first chicken eggs were really good. we had about 20 eggs and a good bit of them hatched. I cant wait to see the results for my first duck eggs. would it be ok if I put the ducks eggs in the incubator now? temp 100 humidity 75

If the temp has stabilized and remained steady for several hours, I don't see why not (but again, I don't know about what duck eggs need). But if the temp just got to this point and has not had time to really get stable, then I would not put anything in there yet.

 

[teresa42299]

its been 100 for a good few hours