How To Simply Incubate Hatching Eggs
When trying to begin hatching eggs using the incubation method, you must first be certain you have gotten the best eggs available. Some tips to consider when gathering the eggs desired for incubating are as follows:
– avoid eggs that are either extremely large or small
dirty eggs should not be used
– check for thin or cracked shells, as these should be avoided as well.
try to keep a variety of eggs that are non-related (sister, brother, etc.)
– do not wipe or rub on the eggs before incubation, this causes germs to be forced into the shell through the pores.
– start with the cleanest eggs available
Once you have taken the advice listed above, you are ready to begin readying your eggs for the incubation period. Since the embryo is beginning to develop at an early stage, proper care is necessary and important. Gathering eggs on a daily schedule is advised, starting with three times daily unless the outside temperatures rise above 85 degrees. If this happens to occur, you should gather the eggs at least four times daily.
Deciding on the best incubator is an important step in caring for the eggs, and knowing what the basic types are will aid you in your choice. The two most common types of incubators are still air and forced air. The smaller of the two is the still air incubator and it has no fan for air circulation. An entry base allows for cool fresh air to come in once the natural rise and escape warmed air process is completed. The larger and more popular incubator is the forced air style that includes a fan to circulate the air inside. These can vary in size from large to industrial and the right temperatures for the best hatching conditions vary between the models.
When you use a forced air incubator the recommended temperature is 100 degrees F . If this temperature is not kept constant during the incubation period, the chances that the eggs will be ruined and not hatch are very high. The incorrect temperature is the most common cause of poorly hatched eggs. The other common reasons are poor sanitation, lack of proper ventilation and neglectful egg turning.
The still air incubator will require a temperature of 102 degrees F for good hatching results. Because this temperature is higher, it necessitates frequent temperature checks, and the use of the best quality thermometers. The control of the humidity is important during the incubation process, and is an extremely important factor in the eggs development. if the humidity is too high or too low, the proper forming of the shell and the embryo will not be possible and will also result in poor hatching.
Along with the temperature being an important factor, is the oxygen supply. Proper amounts of oxygen for the embryo’s growth and development is necessary as well as turning of the eggs. A good flow of oxygen should be made available, especially in still air incubators without affecting the temperature. Following this process is the turning habits. In the still air incubator, this is done manually and requires a steady and gentle hand and is necessary four to six times a day. In a forced air incubator, this is done automatically, but still requires monitoring.
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