Egg Incubation

[GreenSpark]

Hi folks have been looking into keeping chickens, and i have been offered some fertile eggs and was wondering if there was a low cost option for incubating eggs, what temp do they have to be maintained at.

Many Thanks

[Shirley]

It's not just temperature, but humidity too.. and you need to turn the eggs.

Take a look at this thread about home-made incubators CLICK HERE

[GreenSpark]

Thanks for the pointer.

Thats given me some ideas, i am going to get something put together in the next couple of weeks while a do a bit more research on keeping hens.
What is the favourite breed for a compromise between laying and meat.

Thanks

[GreenSpark]

hi folks

Maybe a stupid question, but i have built an incubator and the highest steady temp i can get is 34c is this much to low and i have to move to design Z.

Many thanks

G

[glenniedragon]

what heating element are you using? is the size of the box too large? have you the right thermistor range? Questions, questions I know but if I can help you figure it out I will. I do have a spare higher end thermistor if thats what you require if you're using a home built thermostat.

kind thoughts
Deb

[GreenSpark]

Hi thanks for the reply i have figured it out, i am using some heat trace cable i had aquired but, I have now found out that it is self regulating so no matter what the thermostat was doing this stuff had a max temp.

So back to the drawing board probably end up being cheaper to buy a incubator at this rate!

cheers andy

[glenniedragon]

Yeh maybe, but its soooo satisfying to do though eh? especially when your tinkering about creates life! a bit like Frankenstein really but with more eggs!

You really need to get an Igor

kind thoughts
Deb

[GreenSpark]

Yeah thats so true i will carry on tinkering!

Going to try a lamp next i was worried that the light would effect them in some way, have you had success using a lamp?

Cheers Andy

[glenniedragon]

I've used a 20w bulb as my heating element, no probs with the thermostat turning it on and off during incubation. Once they hatch I put them in a brooder with a hot lamp. If you use a bulb always have a spare sounds obvious but you never know. I had a good rate with hatches last year (around 80%) surplus cockerals dealt with and 2 lots of rare breed hens auctioned at a small profit. Also increased my girls numbers by two from eggs from another source to take the pressure off having a very active cockeral. I intend to use my homemade incubator again this year as my first lot of girls are getting on a bit and I love hatching chicks. I did have a hen go broody last year and after sitting on 7 eggs only one hatched- a cockeral of course- so nature ain't always 100% sucessful herself. Good luck

kind thoughts
Deb

[GreenSpark]

Well i have made the incubator and the eggs are in, we will see how it goes! I have used a 25watt lamp in a cooler box holds temp perfectly so all i need now is a bit of luck!

thanks for your help

andrew