We will be incubating what we are expecting to be fertile eggs. I candled some but can't really tell which ones to use.
After they are laid each day, how do we store them until it's time to put them in incubator? Does anybody have plans for building an incubator? The one I have doesn't hold very many. Thanks
Incubating eggs
To store eggs before incubation I put them in a carton and put one end higher and rotate it a few times a day. Then I got smart and put them in the incubator with the turner on, not the heat yet. When I filled the turner I turned on the heat.
You really can't tell if the eggs are fertal until the 7th day or so. If you have a rooster the odds are they are fertal. Depending how many hens to roosters.
For homemade? I've never made one. The ones at the feed store were affordable so I went that route. I believe they hold 48 eggs. Come with a turner and preset heat. Set it and almost forget it lol.
It is important to store clean fertile eggs at a temp 55-60 degrees F and 70-75% humidity. Hatchability will decrease dramatically at temperatures around 75 degrees and lower than 40% humidity. The eggs should be stored small end down and slanted at 30-45 degrees. Eggs remain at good hatchability for about two weeks and after that, hatchability starts to decline.
Thanks so much farmgirl 21 and b_gelbach. I have more questions about this process. The rooster has been gone about 10 days. (supper).
I hear the hens (13) will prob be fertile for a couple weeks after his last covering of them. I have kept this last weeks eggs sitting out on a north window sill that stays about 60 degrees, but I did not turn them daily. They've just sat there. Are they bad now?
I put 4 eggs in a tiny incubator 5 days ago. I candled the eggs today to look for the red lines and didn't see any. Maybe light not bright enough. I can see the yolk moving around inside the egg as I turn it. I turn the eggs > 4 times per day. Temp @ 99 and water in resovoirs.
We can't really afford a store bought incubator @ this time. Wish we could. What type of things do we watch for that indicate the egg is rotten, ie. is the yolk moves around loosely, etc.
b_gelbach, what is the best way to clean the eggs? I found a batch of eggs sitting in a bowl of soapy water, maybe 15 min. My 7 yr old had decided he needed to help me by cleaning them. (bless his heart) Are they bad now?
Appreciate all your thoughts/ideas
Sandi
Eggs should not be in the water for more than 5 min. The water temp needs to be hot. I use egg wash from the store. But you can use bleach only a small drop in hot water. the heat closes the pours on the egg and desn't let the bacteria in.
When I incubate I choose the cleanist eggs, so I do not wash them because, Iike to keep the protective coating on the egg. I figure the hen doesn't wash her eggs? The real dirty I do not incubate
"Storey's Guide to Raising Poultry" is a book I got from the feed store (and probably can be found/ordered from a regular book store) that had lots of good information about the birds from egg to table. You might want to invest in something like this to refer to quickly.
It was saying to wipe off the dirt with a dry towel if it's just a little. If there's a lot and they really need to be washed, use water at 110 to 115 degrees and use egg detergent-sanitizer but not to imerse them more then 3 mins.
Anyway, it has lots more stuff in it including the directions for the homemade incubators too. Enjoy your project and good luck!
Thanks farmgirl21 and mmistyrose. I had no idea about the hot water. I had been washing them in cold. So I probably won't use those eggs.
Thanks for the tips and recommended book. I have too many questions that maybe the book will answer.
Tootles