![]() For thousands of years, people have used artificial incubation to hatch eggs. The thought of maintaining an incubator for three weeks can be a put-off, but this task doesn’t have to be this way. Incubating eggs for personal use can be rewarding, but for many people it is a daunting one as well. You will notice different hatch rates between classrooms, or between years in the same classroom.Incubating chicken eggs on the small farm But remember the adage: Don't count your chickens before they hatch. Some chicks do not survive the hatching process. Some embryos fail to develop for various reasons. It takes time for the incubator temperature to stabilize after adding the eggs. Do not adjust the temperature for 24 hours. Place the marked eggs on the wire screen. When the incubator has been plugged in for several hours or overnight, and the temperature and humidity are set, you are ready to add the eggs. Please do not mark the eggs with the students' initials, because if a student's egg doesn't hatch (and many times not all the eggs will hatch), he/she will be heartbroken. That will help you remember to turn the eggs three times a day. Use a pencil (not a pen or marker) to mark the eggs, dividing them into three sections, marking them 1,2,3, or A,B,C. On Monday, fill the middle reservoir to the top. During the hatching time, the embryos need extra humidity so the shells will not stick to the chicks. If you notice drops of water forming on top of the incubator, the humidity is too high remove the lid and wipe off the excess moisture add less water then you have been doing. You can check the water level when turning the eggs each morning. Add water as needed to keep level 1⁄2 full. As a rule of thumb, keep 1⁄2 cup of water in the middle reservoir in the bottom of the incubator. Ideally, the humidity inside the incubator should be about 50%. Adjust the incubator temperature down if necessary. This is normal, and is caused by the embryo forming and generating heat. About halfway through the hatching process, you may note an increase in temperature. Every time the eggs are turned, you can check the temperature, but avoid the habit of fiddling with the dial. Once the temperature is set, you should not have to make adjustments. How often do I need to adjust the temperature? Then on Friday remove the tape and/or plugs to allow for more air ventilation during hatching. If the red plugs are missing, cover the two large air holes with tape. You may wish to put tape across the top of the dial, since it is tempting to turn it. ![]() Once you have the temperature set, tighten wing nut on the dial. The red light on the top of the incubator will come on when the heating elements is on. Be careful, as adjustments should be made with 1⁄4 or 1⁄2 turns. If you do not have an electronic thermostat incubator then the temperature is adjusted by loosening the wing nut and turning the L shaped metal dial on the top of the incubator. The electronic thermostat incubators are self regulating. How do I adjust the temperature in the incubator? If the temperature goes above 103°, even for short period of time, you will ruin the embryos. Your thermometer should read between 98° - 100° F. Your incubator should stay as close to this as possible. The ideal temperature for hatching chick eggs in 99° - 100.8° F. The thermometer dial should be resting up against the incubator. Place the stem of the thermometer through the groove between the lid and base of the incubator and push it in as far as it will go. It also gives your students time to become familiar with the incubator. Do this a day before you add the eggs, because it gives the incubator time to regulate. Fill the middle reservoir (marked with a "W" or "Water") in the bottom with 1⁄2 cup of water. Put the wire screen on the bottom of the incubator. Place the bottom of the incubator on the table. Be sure to alert the custodian not to turn the electricity off at night or over the weekend! ![]() Make sure the outlet is not one that is operated by a wall switch. If possible, the incubator should be plugged directly into the outlet. Place the incubator on a sturdy table or desk near an electrical outlet. The incubator should be in an area that is free from drafts and away from direct sunlight. Where should I put the incubator in my classroom?
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