your first incubator hatch experience - please share?

[technodoll]

I'm sooo nervous... I am losing my "hatch virginity" in about 3 weeks!!

Am setting my very first eggs in the Hova-Bator soon and am seeking reassurance that yes, it will be fine... I've nothing to be scared about... If I follow the instructions I will get chicks that hatch...

Would appreciate to hear about YOUR very first times!!

And if you had to do it all over again, what would you have done differently?

Thank you!

 

[JCoogle]

All I have to say is it is addictive. My first egg hatched 1-1-10 and I have not stopped loading mine yet.

 

[houndit]

Are they shipped eggs or local?

 

[debilorrah]

My first two hatches were 100% failure. I do believe it is because Ken thought he knew what he was doing and he does not. HUmidity up and down too much, temps up and down too much, rattling the rack too much, etc. This next round, I have convinced him to leave it to me and shall see what happens.

Play with your bator BEFORE you put the eggs in. See how it regulates temps, humidity, etc. Find a FAST way to add water and figure out how much you need to add. THEN put the eggs in.

 

[chicken+quail=luv]

I got 4/5 eggs hatched.

Our incubator was in the bathroom (NOT a good idea!) and when my sister was taking a shower, the humidity and temperature went WAY up. It didn't do any damage to our chicks because we stopped it right away.

 

[sonew123]

I think I had 40+ eggs in and not one hatched! big ole floppy poopy puddle of nothing eggies!

 

[technodoll]

Quote:
They are shipped locally, if that makes any sense!

Thanks for sharing your experiences... I *hope* will know what I'm doing?

I will set up and start the bator 3 to 4 days before setting any eggs to make sure I know how to keep the temps & humidity levels correct and of course I'll ask a bunch of questions every day here, JUST in case

I have a quiet, temperature-steady corner on my kitchen counter all secured (away from heat & moisture sources as well as light) - is there anything else I should watch out for during the first try?

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
That is what happened to me twice!!!! Third try coming up shortly.

 

[technodoll]

OK guys you're starting to scare me...

I guess my first hatch should just be with "experimental" eggs from my own flock, in case none hatch?

That way I'm not out of pocket too much for eggs?

I won't get the breeds I want but...

 

[houndit]

It is best to start with local eggs. They hatch easier. My first hatch was fair. My second was a flop, my third was tremendous, and all the following ones were in those categories somewhere.