The Easy Way To Incubate Hatching Eggs
When attempting to begin hatching eggs using the incubation method, it is necessary to first be certain you have attained the highest quality eggs available. Some tips to consider when gathering the eggs desired for incubating are as follows:
do not use eggs that are either extremely large or small
– misshappen eggs should not be used
– check for thin or cracked shells, as these should be avoided as well.
– try to keep the eggs varied and 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 starting to develop at an early stage, the right care is necessary and important. Gathering your eggs on a regular daily basis is advised, beginning with three times daily unless the outside temperatures rise above 85 degrees. If this occurs, gathering the eggs should be done at least five 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 fresh air to come in once the rise and escape warmed air process is finished. The larger and better style incubator is the forced air style that will include 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 using the 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 requires an internal temperature of 102 degrees F for good hatching conditions. 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. Should the humidity be too high or too low, proper formation of the shell and thus the embryo is not possible and will also result in poor hatching.
Right along with the temperature being an important factor, so is the oxygen supply. Good amounts of oxygen for the embryo’s growth and development will be 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 gentle hand and is necessary 2 to 3 times a day. In a forced air incubator, this is done automatically, but still requires monitoring.
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