DIY Homemade Incubator Video - first incubator and hatching advice welcome

[craynerd]

Hi guys, I am using this homemade incubator and as this is the first time hatching quail eggs, I`m on Day 5 and I`d appreciate any tips and advice. My understanding is that from Day 13 I am to remove the rolling tray and stop turning the eggs. What would you guys advise to put on the floor for hatching? Also, I have no control of humidity. Would you advise filling the trough shown in the video with water or perhaps a wet paper towel?

Any info, suggestions or opinions welcome.

 

[craynerd]

Just an important quick question. Would a wet sponge be best in there rather than just a bowl of water. Does everyone in here have a control mechanism for humidity?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

First, yes, lockdown is 3 days prior to hatch day and you stop turning and raise the humidity. You control humidity y controlling SURFACE AREA of water with in the bator. If you need less you remove the water or lessen the surface area of the water. If you need higher humidity you increase surface area. (Adding depth to water will NOT help with highering humidity.) Sponges can and do aid in humidity. I myself use a sponge the first 17 days (chicken eggs) if my bator doesn't hold at least 25% instead of adding water to the wells. The sponge holds it right where I want it. At lockdown I fill my water wells and a small bowl under my screen plus add sponges to the top screen. Never keep an open bowl of water where the chicks have access to it as they can and often drown in open containers.

I use the rubber shelf liner (found in most dollar stores) to cover the screen floor of my bator to make it softer and give better grip for little legs.

 

[gigglesrr]

Please help! I have two mallard eggs that just started to pip. I've already lost 2 eggs and do not want to lose the last 2. My temp is 95 and humidity is 71. I can hear them chirping and the eggs rock. How long is this process and when should I become concerned? I'm a first timer

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Please help! I have two mallard eggs that just started to pip. I've already lost 2 eggs and do not want to lose the last 2. My temp is 95 and humidity is 71. I can hear them chirping and the eggs rock. How long is this process and when should I become concerned? I'm a first timer

Chicken eggs are given 24 hours from pip to zip and I've heard duck eggs can take even longer up to an extra day. Am I right @WVduckchick ?

 

[gigglesrr]

Chicken eggs are given 24 hours from pip to zip and I've heard duck eggs can take even longer up to an extra day. Am I right @WVduckchick
 ?

thank you for the info. I'm just so nervous and anxious

 

[WVduckchick]

Chicken eggs are given 24 hours from pip to zip and I've heard duck eggs can take even longer up to an extra day. Am I right @WVduckchick
 ?

Yep, 48 hours from pip to zip for a duck is not uncommon.

thank you for the info. I'm just so nervous and anxious

We know how you feel, and its also not uncommon! Haha. Just be patient. What happened to the other 2 eggs? Why did you lose them?

 

[gigglesrr]

The ducklings were tapping and chirping like normal. I did not hear anything for a day and checked it. The beak broke through the egg but there was blood and it was on the downside. I am thinking maybe it drowned? Very devastating!

 

[WVduckchick]

Yea its rough to wait it out, we only have the best intentions. My last duck hatch, I had one that broke out the side of the egg. After about 36 hours, nothing had happened. I went to work, and came home early, expecting I would have to intervene. The little fella made it out on his own (well, another one was still in the Bator that had hatched the previous day). I estimate it had been 42ish hours. My best advice is to hold off as long as you don't think its in dire distress. If your heart tells you to go in, then that's what you have to do. Please post an update when something happens.

 

[gigglesrr]

One egg is still tapping and little pieces of egg shell are breaking off. Still a very small area. I don't have many finger nails left lol