trying to hatch baby chickens

[ilovemycockatiels]

Hi I got some chicken eggs from my friend and I'm going to try to hatch them I have 2 questions though, what is the gestation period? and What temp do they need to be at, 99? oh one more, how often do I turn them and do I need to spray them for moisture? Please answer asap.

[Shineillusion]

Boy, I'm reaching back a few years here, but I think I remember the basics.

Gestation is 21 days. The temperature you need to maintain depends on whether you have a forced air or still air incubator. In a forced air incubator you need to maintain a temperature of 100 degrees with as little temperature variation as possible. Still air incubators should be kept at 102 to compensate for temperature layering within the incubators.

Most incubators have a water pan to provide humidity, which should be around 85% if memory serves me. Never wash the eggs and don't allow the humidity to reach the point where the egg shell becomes damp.

Ventilation is very important. Fresh air needs to circulate through your incubator at all times.

Eggs need to be turned 4-6 times a day for the first 18 days. 3 days prior to hatching don't turn them at all, as the chicks are moving themselves into position for hatching. Be very gentle turning the eggs, especially in the first week. And never position the eggs small end down.

When turning the eggs, be sure your hands are very clean. Oils from your skin can cause problems for the developing embryos.

Once the chicks hatch, remove all egg shells, down, and debris. You can incubate the chicks in the same incubator you hatched them in if you don't have a second batch of eggs waiting for the space.

[Shineillusion]

Boy, I'm reaching back a few years here, but I think I remember the basics.

Gestation is 21 days. The temperature you need to maintain depends on whether you have a forced air or still air incubator. In a forced air incubator you need to maintain a temperature of 100 degrees with as little temperature variation as possible. Still air incubators should be kept at 102 to compensate for temperature layering within the incubators.

Most incubators have a water pan to provide humidity, which should be around 85% if memory serves me. Never wash the eggs and don't allow the humidity to reach the point where the egg shell becomes damp.

Ventilation is very important. Fresh air needs to circulate through your incubator at all times.

Eggs need to be turned 4-6 times a day for the first 18 days. 3 days prior to hatching don't turn them at all, as the chicks are moving themselves into position for hatching. Be very gentle turning the eggs, especially in the first week. And never position the eggs small end down.

When turning the eggs, be sure your hands are very clean. Oils from your skin can cause problems for the developing embryos.

Once the chicks hatch, remove all egg shells, down, and debris. You can incubate the chicks in the same incubator you hatched them in if you don't have a second batch of eggs waiting for the space.

[ilovemycockatiels]

I don't actually have an incubator I am doing this in a ghetto type of way. I think they are okay I've turned them twice today and they seem warm, not hot, not cold. Before I put them in the box they are in, I put a thermometer in there and kept adjusting the light so it was about 99 degrees. I lightly drew an X on one side of each egg and an O on the other side, with a pencil. I found a website and it says 99.5 degrees so your about right. And the last 3 days no turning, good memory. I still haven't figured this one out though, Do you think it would be okay to put a shallow dish of water on the bottom of the box for humidity? Or is that not enough. I need all the advice I can get. Thanks