So, I've had a lot of questions about incubating eggs, do's and don'ts. I've had some people ask me about things that I would never do for certain reasons. I'm not saying the people who do them are wrong, but I am saying its just not something I would do. (I'll get to that here in a bit.) So, I've decided to make a list of things that you should do, and things you shouldn't do when you are incubating your own eggs at home. It truly is an exciting thing, from the first time you candle, all the way up until that chick bursts free from its shell. Not only are you helping to bring life onto your farm, but you are also growing your flock, and ensuring the future of your own flock and blood lines.
So, lets start with the basics that you should do.
Make sure to run your incubator for at least 24 hours before you put your eggs in. You want to make sure that the temperature is going to hold, and that you have your humidity right. You want your temp to hold between 99 and 100, and your humidity to run between 70 and 80. You want to keep it from fluctuating as much as possible. If you are using an automatic egg turner, you will want to have that plugged in as well to make sure that its working properly as well. As we all know, with electronics, anything could happen.
So, everything is running good, your humidity is good, your temp is holding, and if you are using an automatic turner, you know that's working as well. FANTASTAIC!!! Now, you have your eggs ready to go in, they've sat for about 12 hours to make sure everything has settled properly, and is ready to go. Make sure you place them in there, gently pointy end down, (if you are using the turner) If you aren't using a turner, gently lay them on a side. Its best to mark an X on one side, and an O on the other. You need to turn your eggs at least once every 4-6 hours. The X and O will make sure that you will have turned each egg. Turning your eggs makes sure that nothing sticks to the side of the shell. I have to be honest, I don't know how often a broody hen turns her eggs when she's hatching them herself, but she gets them turned. Its also good to make sure you are charting your temp and humidity each time you turn your eggs. If you can, try to turn them at the same time everyday so that you know they are getting turned.
On day 18, you go into lock down. Now what does that mean exactly??? That's the day that you check your temperature one last time, and make sure that your humidity is at 80%, because that's where you need it to be. You need those chicks to be able to get out of those shells. There is a very good chance that they may start piping out on day 18, I've had it happen more than once. Its nothing to panic about. They are fully formed on day 18, that's the day they start getting themselves into position. Once you go into lockdown, do NOT take that lid off of that incubator for any reason whatsoever. You MUST leave it be. this is literally life or death for those chicks working on coming out of those eggs.
Ok, so your eggs have piped, and its been 8 hours, should I panic??? No, don't panic, it can take them up to 24 hours to hatch out, the same as it can take a woman 3 days to deliver a human baby. Getting out into the world is hard work. I've had people say that after 8 hours they will zip the chicks, and help them out of the shell themselves. That is never a good idea. You have no clue what could be wrong with that bird, or even if they have absorbed the yolk all the way yet. I see it this way, if a chick pips, but never happens, its for a reason. A hen doesn't help a chick out because she knows, so that's why we should never help as well. That chick could be a genetic dead end, it could be blind, it might not even have formed all the way. It could be missing a leg, feet, even a face...anything. (Ok, well the face part may have been a bit overly dramatic, but you get my point)
OK, after hours and hours of watching, that pip has turned into a chick bursting out of the shell, you see this ugly wet chick, that looks almost alien flopping around in your incubator, what's the next step??? Leave it. The poor little fellow is indeed quite tired, and needs to dry, be warm, get all nice and fluffy so that it looks like the chicks that we all know and love.
Everybody has dried, and is ready to go into the brooder pen. I use a dog crate that has screening attached to it. I also use a brooder heater, and not a heat lamp. A brooder heater is a lot safer than a heat lamp, and works something like a mother hen. The plate gets up to 100 degrees, and is safe to the touch. They run in and out from underneath of it as they please. I've been using these since we first started hatching. If you hatch, I can guarantee you, your home owners insurance will thank you most thoroughly.
Well, I'm sure I've left a thing or two out of there, but I shall try to get back to you all on that more at a later time. Until then, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at crochetbrandi@gmail.com I do so love hearing from everybody!!!!
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