Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Make sure your incubator is properly ventilated to keep fresh oxygen in and bad gases out.
Vents are important because the buildup of gases can be toxic to the eggs. Vents should be
located above, below, or on the side of the incubator. Gradually open them during the incuba-
tion period, so by the time the eggs hatch, the vents are fully open. This is also a critical point
in the care of the embryos. If you are making your incubator, you must provide a vent. If you
are purchasing an incubator, make sure it has vents.
Bad odors coming from the incubator mean that one or more of your eggs has gone bad, so re-
move the affected egg and discard it. If you do not remove it, it may explode because of built-
up gases and contaminate the other eggs. Plus, you surely will not want to smell the foul odor
for long. If an egg has not hatched around day 25 or 26, it is safe to assume it will not hatch,
so discard it immediately.
After day 18, do not open the incubator except to add water to keep the humidity constant.
Close the vents at this time. It will be tempting, as you have been handling your birds for
three weeks, but keeping the vents shut will keep the environment stable for your chicks.
Newborn chicks should not be touched too much because they are delicate and prone to ill-
ness, as their immune system is not strong at this stage. In just a few days, though, they will
be bouncing around, and you can play with them.
Once they hatch
The chicks can stay in the incubator for about four hours after they hatch to dry out and stay
warm. Chicks will not need food or water for the first 48 hours after they hatch because their
shell will provide enough nutrients for them to survive. Put some food such as starter mash or
chick feed and water in their starter box after 48 hours to get them used to it. They also will
feel less stress if they eat and drink on their second day. They will not overeat, but they may
need you to pick them up and take them to the feeder. Some chicks are more adventurous than
others, and timid chicks may not find the food or might get pushed out of the way. Watch your
brood to ensure they are getting the nourishment they need.
The
starter box
is the chicks' home after they hatch because they are too fragile and imma-
ture to be in the coop at this stage without a mother hen. Your starter box can be a large card-
board box with a heat lamp. The box should be at least 2 feet by 2 feet and about 1 foot high
with a mesh cover. There is enough room in this size box for about ten chicks when they are
first born, but they will need more room as they grow. The temperature needs to be kept at 90
to 95 degrees F for the first week, and you should reduce the temperature 5 degrees each week
