Incubator for eggs how to#

Be careful not to adjust the thermostat too much or too often for best results.Ĭandle the eggs several times during the hatch to see how they are developing. Make sure you don’t get the eggs wet when you add water.ĭon’t keep the incubator open any longer than necessary to turn eggs and add water.Ĭheck temperature several times a day to make sure the eggs are not getting too cold or too hot. Check the humidity tray to make sure that the water doesn’t dry out.Īdd warm water to the tray as needed.

Mark your calendar with the following information:Įvery Day: Turn eggs 3 times (or more) each day so that embryos do not stick to the inside of the shell. Place thermometer level with the top of eggs for an accurate reading.

Lay eggs on the wire rack in the incubator so that all eggs have either the o or the x facing up. Mark each egg with an x on one side and an o on the other for keeping track of turning (unless you have an automatic turner). Make sure that you will be able to care for the incubating eggs during the hatching period. I try to maintain a temperature of 99.5 F to 100 F. When the temperatures have stabilized inside the incubator you are ready to add eggs!Ĭhicken eggs require 21 days at temperatures of approximately 99-100 F to hatch successfully. It may be difficult to adjust the temperature to exactly 99.5 F, but try to keep the temps between 98.5 and 100.5 F. A preset thermometer makes this step unnecessary. You may need to adjust the thermostat several times and check the temperatures over a day or two before adding eggs. Place a thermometer inside the incubator, and allow temperatures to stabilize.Īdjust the thermostat so that the interior temperature is 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit for best results. Plug the incubator into a power strip with surge protection. Place the plastic liner and wire floor in the bottom of the incubator and fill the humidity trough with water. This kit upgrades a still air incubator with disc thermostat to an incubator that keeps a constant temp and circulates the air for more even heat distribution.įollow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the thermostat or air circulation fan (if necessary).

New Incukit Mini installed and heating up. I’ve hatched lots of chicks over the years and I’m happy to share the things you’ll need to know in this post. An incubator is necessary, as well as a reliable thermometer, and a brooder box to keep your chicks warm until their feathers fill in. There are some things you’ll need if you wish to hatch chicken eggs at home without a broody hen to do the work for you.

Incubator for eggs how to#

You might enjoy reading my article How to Choose the Best Broody Hens for a Self-Reliant Flock. There are often chicks that don’t survive the trip and that can be hard to deal with, especially if you have children or you think of your chicks as pets.Īnother reason to hatch your own chicks is to raise a more self-reliant flock. There are plenty of reasons to hatch your own chicks, such as avoiding the stress that shipping can cause for your little fluffballs. If you would like to hatch chicks in an incubator at home, you’re not alone! Many backyard chicken keepers are interested in hatching fertile eggs from their own flock or from a friend’s hens.