The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Oneeyedhen on April 18, 2012, 09:26:47 pm

Title: Nest box to incubator
Post by: Oneeyedhen on April 18, 2012, 09:26:47 pm

I've just borrowed an incubator that will take 20 hens eggs.  My hens are usually laying two/day just now. Is it ok to leave eggs a week or so before putting them in the incubator?  And should I be turning them as I heard you shouldn't let them 'set'.
 Any tips would be great, thanks.

Title: Re: Nest box to incubator
Post by: doganjo on April 18, 2012, 09:29:53 pm

Here's a good site - http://www.shilala.com/incubating.html (http://www.shilala.com/incubating.html)

Title: Re: Nest box to incubator
Post by: chrismahon on April 18, 2012, 09:36:18 pm

You will get a reliable hatch up to 9 days old Oneeyedhen. You will still get some hatch even older. Store the eggs pointy down at about 12 degrees and 80% humidity. Don't need to move them as turning is only to stop the developing embryo sticking to the side of the shell. Get your incubator thoroughly cleaned and running and stabilised 24 hours before the eggs go in. At the same time bring the eggs to room temperature. Use an egg sanitant just before you put them in which is day zero. Following day is day 1, 1 day elapsed and counting. Note that eggs need to cool before they are incubated I've been told, so you can't put just laid eggs straight in.

Title: Re: Nest box to incubator
Post by: doganjo on April 18, 2012, 09:40:34 pm

I'm helping a friend out by putting some pheasant eggs in the incubator another friend left here.  Incubator is on, eggs coming tomorrow afternoon - Any tips please?

Title: Re: Nest box to incubator
Post by: Oneeyedhen on April 19, 2012, 11:03:58 am

Thanks everyone, thats very helpful  :D  Good luck with the pheasant eggs doganjo.