On the spur of the moment I decided to try and raise some chicks. My new roomate has one laying RI Red hen and a Black Australope(sp) rooster. But she dosn't sit on her eggs.
Marguerite: After l week, candle the eggs and see if they are forming. This is easy. In a dark room, hold up each egg to a flashlight. The beam will shine through the egg and you can see blood vessels, etc. This is the embryo. If you can see this, you are on the right track. Worse incubators have been used...Good luck with this....Red Tail Chicken Hawk....
Marguerite, I would get that temperature up to 99f, if you can. Just one degree can make a difference in the developing eggs finishing in the 21 days, which is ideal. Most incubators specify 100f. Adding eggs after the first ones are started is done by some people, but until you know that all is well and the first ones hatch--I would not add any eggs, which will hatch at a later time. CJR
I made a home-aid incubator out of a styrafome cooler,(styrafore is about 1 to 2 in thick, with a window covered with tape on the cover). I used a fish tank heater and a thermometer. The temp. is staying at a fairly steady 98* (which I read was the right temp.) And I also have a cup of water in it to help with humidity.? I also turn them a minumum of four times a day.
I now have three of my hen's eggs and I will soon be getting a bunch of fancy bantum eggs and maybe a goose or duck egg or two (from a neighbor).
Do I have any chance of hatching these egg's???
Are there any other tips I should know??
How or when can I tell if it's working??
Thank you very much, Marguerite, Vermont, USA
By Mr. Red Chickenhawk (Chhawk) on Monday, April 12, 1999 - 09:35 pm:
By Cjeanr on Monday, April 12, 1999 - 09:56 pm: