HATCHING CHICKEN EGGS IN AN INCUBATOR

It is important that before you put any eggs into an incubator, which you first make sure that, you have plugged it in and have ascertained that the temperature remains between 99.5 and 103 degrees. Once that is done you can now go ahead and place the eggs into the incubator. If you are going to have to turn the eggs by hand then it is advisable that you put a marker on each egg, such as a cross on one side and a circle on the opposite, because turning the eggs is important. You will need to do so as least three times a day.

If you fail to turn the eggs for some or other reason you will end up with either deformed chickens or none of the eggs will hatch at all. Another important feature of the incubator is that there must be adequate moisture inside it at all times. This does not need to be a problem, as simply placing a dish with water inside it in the incubator will take care of the moisture level quite adequately.

Just because you have decided to incubate the eggs does not mean that you will succeed in having ever egg hatching. Some eggs do not hatch, especially if they are cracked or damaged in some way. These develop odors and should be removed from the incubator. Once the egg has been in the incubator for two or three days, you can determine if there is an embryo by holding the egg up to a candle or other light source.

Humidity is extremely important when hatching chicken eggs in an incubator. Within an egg is a tiny air bubble that forms and this air bubble are dependent upon the humidity of the air. The more fluid that is lost the faster the bubble will grow. By maintaining the correct humidity in the incubator the bubble is prevented from growing to such an enlarged state that the fluids that are essential to the final growth of the embryos are lost. If the bubble is too large because the humidity has been excessive, the chick may not be able to reach the bubble, meaning that it will not be able to break through the membrane wall in order to pick his way around the shell and breaking the bubble off. Instead the chick will break through the shell in such a way that the fluids from underneath the bubble can then drown him.

If humidity as been too low, the bubble will be too big and the fluids under it will have dried up. This may result in the embryo being deformed of the chick could find itself stuck to the shell, desperately trying to dislodge it. After a couple of hours and chick that is stuck can be relieved by removing the top of the shell.

Eggs that are not in the normal position can cause the embryo to be disoriented within the shell, and develop in such a way that the head is at the narrow end. In that position, the chick is likely to drown.

Also, as mentioned above, eggs must be turned regularly so that they hatch. It is essential in the early stages of development but not so in the last days of incubation, when the chick is preparing to hatch. It is important that when you decide to incubate chicks that you understand that the success of the venture will depend largely on proper care.

Unsatisfactory results are usually caused because the temperature was not controlled properly resulting in a humidity level that was either too high or too low. But as mentioned, egg turning, ventilation and sanitation all play a part in the successful incubation of your chicken eggs.