We’re on Day 12 for the first batch of eggs that went into the incubator and Day 9 for the eggs in the other two incubators.
The HovaBator incubator arrived Tuesday, and was immediately set up, the eggs transferred from the other incubator and . . I’m hoping for good results but not very optimistic.
HovaBator
Wednesday night I decided to “fess up” and tell Vince about the little Brinsea incubator. Earlier, he had been looking online at hatching related items and he said “Can you believe anyone would pay $158 for those little round plastic incubators?” I totally ignored the question and he didn’t seem to notice the deer in the headlights look on my face. Just before bedtime, I said “I need to tell you something” and he said “I’m going to bed! Can’t it wait til tomorrow?” Yes, dear . . in fact, maybe I won’t even tell you at all!
Thursday, the solar panels had just been finished, everything was working perfectly, he was in a good mood and I decided that would be a good time to show him our little round plastic incubator. I said “I have to tell you something and you can’t be mad at me. Promise” and so the discussion began. He couldn’t believe I bought something and didn’t tell him. Oh, Vince . . poor sweetheart! 🙂
The little round plastic incubator is the Brinsea Mini Advance incubator and for short, I’ll just call it amazing! I bought it because it’s basically a ‘set it and forget it’ incubator. Wait til you read my report about what I’m seeing in there. Oh, I love this little thing already.
Brinsea Incubator
Incubator #1, which is the new Hova Bator, because it has the eggs in it that were first set: There are black copper marans, lavender marans, speckled sussex, olive eggers (all that came in the mail) and a couple of Dominique eggs from my chickens to use as a test. I don’t have much hope for any of these eggs. The first incubator was so hard to maintain the proper temp. So far, none of them have been tossed but I’m not seeing much activity when candling the eggs.
Incubator #2, which is the amazing Brinsea incubator that Vince can’t believe anyone would buy: It only holds 7 eggs. In there are 3 bielefelders, 3 australops and one Dominique from my chickens as the test. I will do a whole blog post on what’s happening in this incubator. It is eggciting!
Incubator #3, which is the Little Giant. It’s another styrofoam incubator and I haven’t had any problems with it but am having a lot of problems with the eggs in there. Not sure if it’s the egg, because the problem eggs all came from one package and the package arrived with a broken egg, so maybe they got a little too much shaking. Two of them, both Australorps, were oozing. I read that if you see a brown honey like substance forming outside the shells, get rid of them. That happened to two of them. Then yesterday, one of the olive eggs in there began dripping from the bottom. It had already stuck to the rack so it was a bit of a hassle getting it out without it cracking completely. Got that done, got it cleaned out . . I haven’t seen much activity in those eggs either.
The turkey eggs seem to be doing fine. I didn’t try to candle them (I’ll do a post on candling tomorrow) but so far, no problems.
In about 10 days, we should begin to see some signs of hatching . . if there’s going to be any hatching.
swooze says
I think this sounds like watching a pot of water boil. The anticipation and then Ta Da! Can’t wait to see the results.
Judy H says
Are the eggs in #2 mail-order eggs, too?
I’m just wondering if that one is doing so well partly because the eggs weren’t shipped. (?)
Good luck with your babies!
JudyL says
All the eggs are mail order eggs except in each incubator, there are a couple of my own Dominique eggs, just as tests to compare their results (fresh, day old, not mailed) to mail order eggs.
Donna Williams says
It IS eggciting! Can’t wait to see what you get.
Karin Vail says
I ended up getting 50 quail eggs to hatch. It’s all your fault for all this hatching talk Judy! Not really, hehe 🙂 Hubby said the other day ”I think I’m ready for some more pickled quail eggs”. Which translates to ”Honey, hatch some quail so you can pickle their eggs”. He didn’t have to hint to me twice, hehe 🙂 I have the plain little giant styrofoam incubator – and I usually hand turn the eggs. This time I made a little ‘corral’ out of fine hardware cloth and I am tipping the whole incubator to the left and then to the right several times a day. Hopefully it works this way, because it’s so much easier! Temp hovering at 99-100 and 50% humidity, so I think it will be fine 🙂
Sherry V. says
I’m so eggcited to hear about the eggs I can’t stand it!! LOL
I’m on pins and needles waiting for more updates!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Amber says
I’m egg-static for you!
Deborah says
Have you read up on the actual hatching? The chicks will “pip” first. Poke a hole in the shell – sometimes hard to see. Then it can be up to 12 hours before they begin to crack the top of the egg in a circular pattern. Don’t take the lid off until they all they all hatch – it is tempting – resist!! They can go over 24 hrs before needing food or water. Can’t wait to see the pictures!!
Mary says
It is exciting! I can’t wait to see how yours turn out. When I did mine recently, I thought they all had the ring of death around the 10th day. I figured I had not lost anything if they didn’t hatch and none of them smelled, so I just kept on turning and checking. My temps seemed to be all over also, but then I just went with it and had a wonderful hatch. Hoping for that for you too!
Joanne Caglione says
Hey Judy! I have 2 Brinsea’s and you know I love them. Started with one last year and got another one for Xmas. I did have to buy another incub (the one you didn’t like) at Tractor Supply because a lovely lady sent me a TON of extra showgirl eggs so I needed something in a hurry to set them. I am going to candle them now to see how they are doing. I haven’t had any trouble keeping a stable temp in that incub – thank goodness. It’s been solid as a rock..
Jo
Joanne Caglione says
Oh one more thing;-) I just had 6 Rhodebar hatch out in one of the Brinsea’s – that little dome was PACKED! I have to send you a picture:-)
JudyL says
I’m not having any problems with the Little Giant from TS. I think some of the eggs in there weren’t good eggs but it’s holding the temp just fine.
Jennifer Hogsed says
Hi Judy, I love to read your blog often! I saw this and thought of you and your chickens:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/515899/best-way-ive-found-yet-to-deal-with-snake-problems
You may have already seen this, but I thought I would share just in case.