The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: piggy on July 09, 2010, 09:00:58 pm

Title: Hatching from incubator
Post by: piggy on July 09, 2010, 09:00:58 pm
Have had 2 chicks hatch from the incubator, have a heat lamp for them but do they really need it as it so hot.Never hatched in summer before i normally hatch them out in winter.
Title: Re: Hatching from incubator
Post by: Fleecewife on July 09, 2010, 09:40:46 pm
I would think a hen runs at pretty much the same temp as a human : 37C - surely it's not that hot, night and day, where you are?  Here it's down to about 10 or 12C at night.
Title: Re: Hatching from incubator
Post by: piggy on July 09, 2010, 10:47:46 pm
Today its been 34 here and just checked temp in car its still 20,but they are in our kitchen.
Title: Re: Hatching from incubator
Post by: Daveravey on July 10, 2010, 12:29:01 am
I think i'd keep the heat on just to be sure, you never know how much of a draught they might be getting.

Title: Re: Hatching from incubator
Post by: Fleecewife on July 10, 2010, 12:56:54 am
34 !!  :o  I'm so glad I live on my draughty Scottish hilltop  8)
Title: Re: Hatching from incubator
Post by: langdon on July 10, 2010, 11:01:38 am
in winter ???
isnt it to cold or raising chicks or do you keep them inside through out?
Title: Re: Hatching from incubator
Post by: piggy on July 10, 2010, 08:21:24 pm
So far not had any problems or losses with hatching them in winter,they stay in doors until they are a good size usually around 3-4 months then they go outside,but we dont really have hard winter here.I do it that way as then by the summer they are laying making them easier for me to sell.
Title: Re: Hatching from incubator
Post by: little blue on July 10, 2010, 08:43:39 pm
round 'ere....  we've switched the lamp off in the day from a week old - the chicks are starting to show "proper" feathers, and its plenty hot enough during the day, especially if they're in a place with windows.
our neighbour always has them off heat in 3 weeks in summer, I will see how warm it is first!
Title: Re: Hatching from incubator
Post by: Sharondp on July 10, 2010, 08:58:38 pm
I also turn the lamp off during the day at about 7-10 days. They are in a shed which gets really warm with the sun on it.