So, you have your incubator, it's set up, the temps are good, you understand about humidity. Now you want get those eggs in there! Anything you should know?
Well, the next thing to take into consideration is how your eggs are going to be set. Are you using an automatic turner, or are you hand turning your eggs??
An automatic turner takes the stress off from having to remember to turn the eggs an appropriet amount of times during the day and allows you a more hands off incubation. If you are going to use an automatic turner you want to make sure that you place your eggs in the turner with the pointed end DOWN. Leaving the nice rounded (bigger) end with the air cell pointed up.
Well, the next thing to take into consideration is how your eggs are going to be set. Are you using an automatic turner, or are you hand turning your eggs??
An automatic turner takes the stress off from having to remember to turn the eggs an appropriet amount of times during the day and allows you a more hands off incubation. If you are going to use an automatic turner you want to make sure that you place your eggs in the turner with the pointed end DOWN. Leaving the nice rounded (bigger) end with the air cell pointed up.
Don't have an automatic turner? Not a problem. (The chicken in the coop doesn't have one ether.) Your eggs are perfectly fine laying on their sides. Most styrofoam incubators have a metal screen that fits just above the water wells. I use rubber shelf lining (you can get it right at the dollar store:
I put this over the bare screen. Many people just put their eggs on the screen and hatch them on the bare screen. I prefer the liner. In my mind it's softer and gives the chicks better traction when they hatch.
If you are not using an automatic turner, it is important that you hand turn your eggs at least 3 times a day. Experts say more is better, but always an odd amount. By turning an odd number of times through the day it insures that the eggs will not be left on the same side at night-night after night. Night is usually the period that the eggs are going the longest with out being turned. We turn eggs so that the insides-mainly the yolk with the developing embryo does not stick to the side of the shell. Not turning can cause a number of problems including deformed chicks, malepositioned chicks, chicks dying during incubation.
Now your eggs are set. When you place your eggs in the warmed up bator (your eggs should be at room temp when you set them,) your temp and humidity will fluctuate. Give it a few hours before adjusting. Some advise 24 hours, I adjust mine sooner than that. Usually after 6-8 hours I will try to regulate my temps accordingly. If you are using an incubator with a thermostat....you should be fine. (Just make sure your thermostat and thermometer temps coincide.)
You are on your way to hatching.....
If you are not using an automatic turner, it is important that you hand turn your eggs at least 3 times a day. Experts say more is better, but always an odd amount. By turning an odd number of times through the day it insures that the eggs will not be left on the same side at night-night after night. Night is usually the period that the eggs are going the longest with out being turned. We turn eggs so that the insides-mainly the yolk with the developing embryo does not stick to the side of the shell. Not turning can cause a number of problems including deformed chicks, malepositioned chicks, chicks dying during incubation.
Now your eggs are set. When you place your eggs in the warmed up bator (your eggs should be at room temp when you set them,) your temp and humidity will fluctuate. Give it a few hours before adjusting. Some advise 24 hours, I adjust mine sooner than that. Usually after 6-8 hours I will try to regulate my temps accordingly. If you are using an incubator with a thermostat....you should be fine. (Just make sure your thermostat and thermometer temps coincide.)
You are on your way to hatching.....