If I'm using an egg turner is it still necessary to mark eggs with x/o? Also does any one know of a good all around breed for laying/eating? I'm starting a project for my wife/son & I to hatch chickens (for now) to give to Grandparents(then maybe Quail/Pheasant). Last Question, Can you start different batches of eggs(couple of days apart) in the same incubator? Thanks, I have learned alot just looking aroud the site.

-- James (jameshill88@yahoo.com), December 28, 2001

Answers

We did years ago have an automatice egg turner too. It worked just fine but found that the eggs did hatch out at different times and wasn't sure when to toss the ones that didn't. The turner will move the eggs for you. I guess if you marked the eggs of different birds so you would know when they would hatch would be fine but aren't different breeds of birds hatch eggs at different temperatures. You could call your local cooperative extension and speak with someone there or get a couple of good books for reference. Or maybe you could find a breeder in your area for advice. Ask at the local feed store or farm vet...they might be able to help you out also. We are lucky enough now after many years to have a couple of hens that will hatch chicks for us. One year we had over 90 baby chicks hatch !!!! We were rich !!! or just eating good for a few months after that. Then the next year we only have 6 chicks hatch Feast and famine I guess !! Good Luck !!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), December 28, 2001.

James when your chicks start hatching you turn off the egg turner so it won't crush or hurt the chicks as they hatch out & are drying out-- --so if you sit more eggs(such as duck eggs or another breed) they need to be turned while you have the turner off---- I would sit one batch of the same kind of eggs then sit the next type- --as we have sat duck eggs & chick eggs in the same incubator---of coarse the duck eggs needed more time---so when the chicks started hatching I didn't want to turn the duck eggs by hand & have the lid up for long & disrupt temp & not have enough moisture in the incubator--- also when we hatch out duck eggs we have always had to mist them with a warm water sprayer--more often than we did the chick eggs---- I would stick to one breed at one setting--- We have hatched every thing but Goose eggs in the incubator----as the self turner could not turn the eggs as they were too big -- Have had to really watch the duck eggs---as I had to really keep them moist to hatch----also it the eggs are too small the egg turner won't turn them also--- Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), December 28, 2001.

I picked up an Excalibur deydrator for $5 at a thrift store and read recently where a woman had hatched eggs in one. So I decided to give it a try. I collected 5 eggs from my Khaki Campbell hen. We are at day nine, and they seem to be developing according to schedule (This is my first experience at hatching eggs, so what knowledge I have (very little!) is only from reading--no practical experience.) I turn the eggs 2-3 times a day and spray them with water at least once a day. I have a large shallow pan of water on the bottom tray for humidity, have removed the 2nd & 4th trays, and have the eggs on the 3rd tray. I have placed a thermometer with the eggs, even though the dehydrator has a temp setting. It's not very accurate. I am candling them more often than needed, probably. But I am just fascinated. Sonda, will it hurt to be taking them out often for candling? I had read that they could even use a half hour cooling off period per day to simulate the mother leaving the nest to eat. Although I haven't helped you out much, James, with your questions, I encourage you to try a batch. Also, I would appreciate any advice. Thanks to all who contribute to this website. I have learned so much.

-- JoAnne Gosen (gosenbj@msn.com), December 28, 2001.