- avoid 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. - choose 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 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.
Choosing the best incubator is an imperative step in caring for the eggs, and knowing the basic types 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 proper temperatures for the best hatching conditions vary between the two models.
When using the forced air incubator the recommended temperature is 100 degrees F . If this temperature is not followed or rises and lowers during the incubation period, chances are the eggs will be ruined and will not hatch. The improper temperature is the most common cause of poor hatching. 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.
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 oxygen flow should be made available, especially in still air incubators without it affecting the temperature. Following this 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.
Success in producing strong, healthy game fowl, for sale, begins with the development of healthy embryos. The incubation process for hatching eggs is of paramount importance in this development. It can mean the difference between excellent hatching results and poor hatching results. Poor hatching results cost you time and money.
If you plan to raise game fowl or bantam chickens, you want to incubate properly. This will ensure a hatching with few ruined eggs. The more healthy embryos you have the more hatched game fowl you have to sell as pets or show animals.
What should you do to ensure proper incubation of hatching eggs? The following steps will aid your incubation process. If applied, they will help you produce the greatest amount of chickens for sale. When gathering eggs for incubation, do it on a daily basis. Perform this three times a day. If the outside temperature is greater than 85F then gather the eggs five times a day.
Choose only quality eggs from healthy breeders. Choose varied eggs not related to one another such as siblings and such. Do not choose eggs that are too large or too small. Small eggs result in small chicks; too large eggs do not hatch properly. Discard cracked or otherwise damaged eggs from the incubation pool. Also, remove eggs with very thin shells.
Choose clean eggs. Do not wipe eggs or rub them as the protective coating rubs off along with any grime. In addition, germs can enter through the egg pores into the egg with rubbing. Cool eggs should warm gradually before placement in an incubator. Warming to room temperature is advisable. Too much condensation develops on the egg with a quick temperature rise. This could lead to disease.
When incubating you can choose a 'Still Air' or a 'Forced Air' incubator. The still air incubator is smaller and has no fan to circulate air. The forced air incubator uses a fan system. A still air incubator has an entry base for fresh air. This cool air enters after the warm air rises and escapes out of the incubator.
The forced air incubator relies on the fan for cool air. The still air incubator needs a temperature of 102F. The forced air type needs a temperature of 100F. Both types need consistency of temperature, higher or lower fluctuations are not desirable.
Fluctuations of temperature result in ruined eggs. Constantly monitor temperature, and oxygen flow. Make sure oxygen flow does not disrupt temperature stability. Monitor and control the humidity in the incubator. Humidity that is too high or too low affects shell and subsequently embryo development. The amount of successful hatches is in direct correlation to proper humidity levels.
Eggs in a still air incubator need turning, gently, four to six times a day. Eggs in a forced air incubator are subject to automatic turning by mechanism. There are also semi-automatic models where you turn a lever several times a day. The eggs turn in the tray but you do not touch the eggs with your hands.
Do not skip days (for example weekends); eggs require consistent turning. If turning manually, you can mark the eggs with a pencil. Mark with an X on one side and an O on the other. This will allow for same amounts of turns per side. Have the incubating eggs in the proper normal position, with the large end a little higher than the pointed end. You do not want the embryo in the wrong position with the head towards the narrower end.
Proper incubation of hatching eggs will result in healthy chickens for sale. Remember that proper sanitation, temperature, ventilation, humidity, and turning are vital to game fowl hatching success.
Timothy Crane has sinced written about articles on various topics from Investments, Pets and Investments. An online auction site, where it is FREE to buy or sell anything from real estate to chickens. It was started by my daughter and I, to give people a place to display their birds.. Timothy Crane's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.