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Post by oglesbylawnservice on Feb 23, 2012 17:35:38 GMT -6
ok well i have ordered my incubator and some hatching eggs. i ordered a hovabator with the turner for now. now is there anything special i need to know in order to make my eggs hatch. i have never done this before and i dont really want it to be a total waste. i ordered more eggs than what will fit in my incubator can i store them long enough to get through the first hatch and them still be good or did i make a mistake by doing that?
Thanks
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Post by Timbo on Feb 23, 2012 23:13:29 GMT -6
I wouldn't try to hatch a egg over 14 days old. That's a disaster waiting to happen.
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Post by Timbo on Feb 23, 2012 23:39:48 GMT -6
its mostly a learning experience, but the main things to keep in mind in Temp, Humidity, and fighting the urge to open the bator to check eggs. My personal experience is stabilize temp and humidity before setting the eggs. put the eggs in the turner for 18 days(Chickens). 18th day turn off turner or move eggs to hatching tray if the bator is setup that way. then wait for the hatching to begin. Once hatched i allow 24hours drying time before i remove the chick. I keep my humidity 50-55% and temp at 99.5 degrees thru the whole cycle. But everyone has their own techniques. Mainly just don't give up. Wish you luck
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Post by chowdownsilkiefarm on Feb 24, 2012 0:56:44 GMT -6
You'll need a thermometer/hydrometer. Walmart sells them for around $7.00. They're small and sit on the egg rails. They use a AAA batteries and they last little more than a year but I change mine like I do the smoke detectors. The small dial to turn the temp up or down is very sensative. The temp for chicken eggs should be 99.5 degrees and humidity around 50%. Many others say different. I don't worry so much aobut humidity till it gets down past 30 or over 60. It either needs water or needs the plugs removed. You should set up your incubator and have it going to get it stable a few days before you put eggs in it. Chicken eggs cook for 21 days. The last 3 days remove them from the turner or just turn it off. On the 3 days you'll need to reaise the humidity some but not too much. I reach for 55% At 60% I open the plugs. The location you choose to put your incubator makes a difference in the success of your hatch rate.
You also don't want to keep the excess eggs. If you have a broody put those eggs under her. I have put eggs between the rails laying down. They get turned so it works. Silkies and sizzles are good at going broody so get yourself a few more of those and you have your back up......maybe
Silkies are like kittens. They're all cute and cuddly, fun to watch. When you want them to do something like lay eggs they decide to sit around on their fluffy butts and wont get up till they're ready in a few weeks. When you want them to help you out and keep some eggs warm they want to wander around the yard and chase grasshoppers, pull worms out of the ground. But they sure are pretty and soft and fluffy and sweet and cuddly.
Ok, i'll stop.
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