Promised Land Homestead

Final Tally

So this was our second batch of chicks to set in our homemade incubator.  Out of 23 eggs set, we had 20 hatches.  Although 1 died shortly after hatching, we are counting it as a successful hatch because the incubator grew it to full term and hatched it.

That gives us an 87% hatch rate.  That's up from 79% the last time. 

I was afraid that changing the placement of the incubator light and thermostat would mess up our hatch rate, but it improved it. 

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10:27 AM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 .. Posted by kdbspace

we just started some eggs and they are to hatch sometime next week. I was wondering if they are picky when it comes to temp control? It seems like I can't keep the incabator at a steady temp :o( We can't wait to see if they hatch! Kim

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10:46 AM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 .. Posted by CitySteader

Hey, welcome! I like your blog thus far. I too moved from blogger. This was much more up my ally! We live on a city lot, and don't have any animals except for a small dog, but I'm hoping to get a bee hive next spring. Anyhow...
I'll check in on your blog often. Glad to meet ya.
Nikki - CitySteader

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9:33 AM, Monday, April 7, 2008 .. Posted by dsw3131

Hi Kim. Thanks for visiting. They don't seem to be as picky about the temp as we first thought. If you can keep in within 2 degrees +/-, they should be fine. Anything over 102F for more than a few minutes will kill them. Colder temperatures will usually just cause them to hatch late (as long as it's not excessive). I'll repost an entry I did not building our incubator. You can see in that one that the temperature probe should be sandwiched in between two bags of water. THE WATER TEMPERATURE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT! It simulates the temp in the eggs best. Forget air temperature.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Edited by dsw3131 on Monday, April 7, 2008 at 9:34 AM

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9:37 AM, Monday, April 7, 2008 .. Posted by dsw3131

Hi Nikki. Thanks for commenting. I love city-steaders. You have the desire to raise your own food, and work within your means to acheive it. Many people don't think they can until they move out in the country. Bologna! When we lived in a neighborhood, we had 3 chickens and a garden. We would have kept doing it forever even if we hadn't moved to the country. I'll be checking your blog as well.

God bless.