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Original poster

Egg incubating...Please help!

54 replies

jeremyspants · 29/01/2008 16:13

Has anyone ever incubated poultry eggs? I am a total novice but am just about to begin incubating six bantam eggs (Brinsea 20)
How much water do you put in to start with?
I'm terrified of getting it all wrong.

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StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 29/01/2008 16:30

If you go to www.practicalpoultry.co.uk they have a forum with a special section all on hatching. Someone there should be able to help, sorry I keep chickens but never used an incubator.

Original poster
jeremyspants · 30/01/2008 10:44

Thank you StripeyKnickersSpottySocks. I'm putting the eggs in today so fingers crossed

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PrincessSnowLife · 02/02/2008 19:01

just found this - we're just about to start incubating some eggs for the first time too, from our chickens.

thanks for the site, stripeyknickers

all going well so far, jeremyspants?

(hey, just noticed, bit of a pants and knickers name theme going on here )

cazboldy · 02/02/2008 21:35

I don't think you need to put much water in until the last few days when you need to soften the shell membrane to help them to hatch. What kind of incubator are you using?

Original poster
jeremyspants · 02/02/2008 23:49

runs through to see

A Brinsea Octagon 20. The hydrometer only arrived today and I can't figure out how much water to put in.
The eggs are a Frizzle/Silkie cross so the RH should be 33 but I am doing something really wrong. The wet bulb only reads 28 and the reservoirs are full.
I am terrified that they get poached/drowned.

What are you incubating and how many?

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PrincessSnowLife · 03/02/2008 10:04

we're incubating 9 eggs, a mixed batch from our chickens, which are isa browns and a so-called 'domestic' breed (we're in E. Europe), which looks most like the plymouth rock breed.

It's more of an experiment, really, as it is the first time we've tried - it's so early in the year that we know there's a chance that not all of them will be fertile... but our cockerel has been trying his very best lately, bless him!

Original poster
jeremyspants · 03/02/2008 11:07

I have been fiddling with the humidity this morning, ventilation too and have no idea if it is right or not. It is an experiment too for us but I feel a bit unsure.
Spent most of last night on the poultry pages but I found no reference as to how much water to add.
Isa Browns are wonderful hens...good natured and amazing egg layers but they do not have a long life span.

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cazboldy · 03/02/2008 17:45

well in ours I just put a piece of soaked cotton wool in - it seems to take longer to evaporate like that and then in the last few days I spray them with tepid water. Don't worry so much.... it's not an exact science - do you think a chicken is aware of the humidity all the time?

same with the ventilation.....I am pretty sure that on ours we keep the holes shut until fairly close to the end. hth

Original poster
jeremyspants · 03/02/2008 17:54

I've cracked it! not the eggs

I emptied out almost all of the water in the little channels then opened the vent to fully pen. It has stayed at 33% all day.About 100 mls of warm water.
It just seemed so complicated to work out ratio of heat to water according to the instruction manual and I am no use at maths
Are yours due to hatch around St Valentine Day as well, cazboldy?

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StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 03/02/2008 17:56

Let us know how successful the hatch is.

I have a silkie which I am hoping goes broody soon. Only problem is I don't have a cockeral so will need to buy some fertile eggs.

cazboldy · 03/02/2008 18:04

we haven't actually got any in at the moment....it's a bit too early in the year. will be doing some duck eggs soon though.

Original poster
jeremyspants · 03/02/2008 18:30

We got two beautiful little water ducks last weekend at the National show. They make the tiniest noise, unlike my foghorn loud ducks I had before.
The silkies are gorgeous Stripeynix!
We have a real assortment of poultry but mainly white cochins. I have my eye on Norfolk Black turkeys next.

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PrincessPeahead · 03/02/2008 18:35

I've just bought one of the super duper new electronic brinseas - push a button to set to either "chicken" "duck" "pheasant" "whatever" and then come back 20-odd days later to collect your chicks! Well that's the theory. It does the humidity and turning and everything automatically. I agree it is a little early to hatch for me - I'm going to start them off to hatch mid March-ish (actually will probably time it for easter as we'll be around all that weekend). Probably do 20 fullsize hens eggs. Will keep you posted!

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 03/02/2008 18:48

I really fancy getting Speckled Sussex next

cazboldy · 03/02/2008 18:49

we have runner duck and lavender pekins - like mini cochins

Original poster
jeremyspants · 03/02/2008 19:55

Sick with envyPrincessPeahead. If you don't mind me asking, how much was it?
It certainly sounds easier than faffing about with the water etc.
My number one 'want' hen would be a Brahma.

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PrincessPeahead · 04/02/2008 12:09

it was a FORTUNE
but we have plans for lots of ducks and chickens for eating and eggs, and quails.... no, it is still unjustifiable really. But SOOOO pretty look!

Original poster
jeremyspants · 04/02/2008 14:10

That seems fairly reasonable for what you are getting. God, I WANT one of those.
The Brinsea one I have seems so clunky in comparison. And the water started pouring out when it went on full tilt.
I thought you had maybe gone for the new snazzy hatches eggs and makes your tea model..It is £2000 plus!
Oh well, I'll just have to be content counting my chickens before they hatch

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PrincessPeahead · 04/02/2008 20:22

jeremyspants, I think I love you
I thought I was mad spending that much on an incubator, now I realise that actually I'm incredibly prudent and sensible

I shall post you a critique when I've hatched my first lot

MegaLegs · 05/02/2008 20:13

A chicken thread how did I miss this? I am currently trying to get some Indian Game bird hatching eggs and have found someone with Dorking x LS near here ready to start our new batch of chickens for the table.

I joined the Practical Poultry forum on the advice of tortoiseSHELL - it is fab. (I'm chollerchook on there).

Yet to buy incubator - the brinsea ones are fab.

TheDuchessOfNorksBride · 05/02/2008 20:39

I've just built a separate run & hen house for broodys. [luddite emoticon] Our Vorwerk cockerel will be having his first season and, whilst eager, is still missing the target.

Can't wait to see how you all get on. Am very tempted at "come back 20 days later and collect your chicks".

Original poster
jeremyspants · 08/02/2008 12:16

It is only a week or so to go. What is the next stage after they hatch? all optimistic
I have used an inflatable paddling pool in the past with a Heath Robinson heat light dangling over the top.It looked like a gibbet.
It was easy to keep clean and they could not escape.

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PrincessSnowLife · 08/02/2008 12:27

paddling pool is a good idea... wonder if we still have one. Summer feels like a lifetime away.
Am planning to candle the eggs tonight to see how successful Mr Cockerel was.
This site has good pics of what to look for.

Original poster
jeremyspants · 16/02/2008 15:27

OOOH! Not long to go now!
The humidity has been increased today and am now fussing around the incubator so much that I might as well just go and sit on the eggs myself.
Do bantam eggs take less time than hen eggs to incubate?

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StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 16/02/2008 18:27

How did you dangle the light over? I'm thinking of usng an old rat cage for a brooder if I end up getting an incubator (which is a possibility). Now the rat cage is big 120cmx55cm - but how long would the chicks be ok in that b4 they outgrew it?