Post your incubating tips here., no matter how basic.
We can all learn from each other.
Disclaimer! I'm no expert.
I've only been using an incubator for the last few years. I have 1 - Brinsea Octagon 40 and 3 cheapie styrofoam Hovabators and to be honest I can't tell any difference between the 2 brands/styles. I suppose you will only see a difference when you get into the big cabinet style bators.
I use one of the Hovabators for hatching. The main thing is to not use still air bators even for the hatching process. You need that even heat only a fan can provide.
Don't scrimp on this feature.
Make sure to increase the humidity the last 3 days of incubation. It makes it alot easier for the babies to hatch out. I get mine up to 70 - 80%. I can see a big difference in the amount of babies that hatch out easily vs. when I didn't get the humidity high enough. The first year I just didn't get it high enough. I use new sponges filled with warm water and add to the incubator. Check often as they will need to be replenished often. Do not reuse sponges as they can hold alot of bacteria.
I think another common issue is too much humidity during the incubation process so the eggs don't dry down properly. I keep mine around 35-45% but this might not work for you. I know some people who advocate dryer and some who successfully run their bators at 80% through the entire incubation period!
So the variables are insane!
Stomberg Hatchery has a very good booklet on collecting/storing, incubating and hatching eggs with details on different species of birds and charts for everything you need to know about the process.
P.S. If anybody has anything to add feel free to do so!
We can all learn from each other.
Disclaimer! I'm no expert.
I've only been using an incubator for the last few years. I have 1 - Brinsea Octagon 40 and 3 cheapie styrofoam Hovabators and to be honest I can't tell any difference between the 2 brands/styles. I suppose you will only see a difference when you get into the big cabinet style bators.
I use one of the Hovabators for hatching. The main thing is to not use still air bators even for the hatching process. You need that even heat only a fan can provide.
Don't scrimp on this feature.
Make sure to increase the humidity the last 3 days of incubation. It makes it alot easier for the babies to hatch out. I get mine up to 70 - 80%. I can see a big difference in the amount of babies that hatch out easily vs. when I didn't get the humidity high enough. The first year I just didn't get it high enough. I use new sponges filled with warm water and add to the incubator. Check often as they will need to be replenished often. Do not reuse sponges as they can hold alot of bacteria.
I think another common issue is too much humidity during the incubation process so the eggs don't dry down properly. I keep mine around 35-45% but this might not work for you. I know some people who advocate dryer and some who successfully run their bators at 80% through the entire incubation period!
So the variables are insane!
Stomberg Hatchery has a very good booklet on collecting/storing, incubating and hatching eggs with details on different species of birds and charts for everything you need to know about the process.
P.S. If anybody has anything to add feel free to do so!
