whats the easiest and cheapest way to incubate eggs?

theemon · #1 02/07/13, 01:24 PM

ok so id like to do this, never incubated anything. id like to gather my fertile chicken eggs and incubate them to have chicks this sppring... can anyone tell a noob how to do this easily? thanks

**Tiempo** · #2 02/07/13, 01:39 PM

A broody hen if you have one.

jcatblum · #3 02/07/13, 01:42 PM

I too vote for a broody hen. See the thread about a silky hen. Others recomended a cochin also.

theemon · #4 02/07/13, 01:49 PM

this is what i found on youtube

http://www.ehow.com/how_2303279_incu...rying-pan.html

theemon · #5 02/07/13, 01:50 PM

i have rir... and im not waiting on a broody hen

jcatblum · #6 02/07/13, 02:32 PM

I had 2 RIR go broody last yr. But that was 2 out of about 50 hens, so chances are not that great.
I personally wouldn't mess with a cheap incubator, will just lead to frustration. Sure you can build your own to save some cash, but how many eggs do you really want to hatch? if you just want chicks you can often pick them up for $1 or less around here.

Fire-Man · #7 02/07/13, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theemon

ok so id like to do this, never incubated anything. id like to gather my fertile chicken eggs and incubate them to have chicks this sppring... can anyone tell a noob how to do this easily? thanks

I have used the cheap styrofoam incubators like the ones Tractor Supply carries with Good results. But now I have some good incubators that I keep just to hatch some eggs. These are some Fair size bantam hens, they work better than any incubator I have tried--LOL.

Fae · #8 02/07/13, 05:33 PM

We keep a few banty hens to incubate eggs. Sure is easier to let them do it.

theemon · #9 02/07/13, 08:09 PM

well i googled it alot, i guess i can create something.

i dont want to "buy" more. i want to try to incubate like 100 eggs from my own stock, and see what happens

Fire-Man · #10 02/07/13, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theemon

well i googled it alot, i guess i can create something.

i dont want to "buy" more. i want to try to incubate like 100 eggs from my own stock, and see what happens

You wanting to do 100 eggs at one time?? Or you got other plans?

Are you wanting to build your own incubator?

theemon · #11 02/07/13, 11:48 PM

im going to build my own... no not 100 at a time, but maybe 33 or so? ill prolly do a test run of a dozen, once i get it built.

i was asking for advice on how to build one too

Fire-Man · #12 02/08/13, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theemon

im going to build my own... no not 100 at a time, but maybe 33 or so? ill prolly do a test run of a dozen, once i get it built.

i was asking for advice on how to build one too

Well you know there are ALOT of homemade ones on Youtube.

There is nothing wrong with building you own--as long as you get the temperature and moisture right and turn them It will work!

**Tiempo** · #13 02/08/13, 07:53 AM

Check Craigslist before you buy supplies, you may be able to pick one up cheap enough to save you the trouble. Do buy a thermometer\hygrometer though, most hardware stores have them for about $10

casusbelli · #14 02/08/13, 08:49 AM

This is off-topic, and I'm more amateur than newbie, for have never had more than 4 hens at once (i live alone) over four years, but:
can someone tell me why folks want to avoid broody hen breeds? I don't see how it's a problem. I had an Austrolorp who would be sitting on eggs when I gathered, and I just shoved her off. What's the big deal? Seems a very slight annoyance in return for having a hen sit when it comes time you WANT her to.

Belfrybat · #15 02/08/13, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casusbelli

This is off-topic, and I'm more amateur than newbie, for have never had more than 4 hens at once (i live alone) over four years, but:
can someone tell me why folks want to avoid broody hen breeds? I don't see how it's a problem. I had an Austrolorp who would be sitting on eggs when I gathered, and I just shoved her off. What's the big deal? Seems a very slight annoyance in return for having a hen sit when it comes time you WANT her to.

Because when they go broody after they have laid several, they quit laying. Plus if you wait 24 hours to gather eggs, the embreyo will have already formed and some people object to a bloody spot in their eggs. I always kept a couple of broody ones so I did have a free incubator, althoough they tended not to go broody when I wanted! Durn free-thinking critters.

**Tiempo** · #16 02/08/13, 08:56 AM

Because they stop laying

**Tiempo** · #17 02/08/13, 08:57 AM

Oops BBQ beat me to it

I was on my phone, it made BB in to BBQ ...lol

theemon · #18 02/08/13, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiempo

Check Craigslist before you buy supplies,

i check craigslist multiple times a day

casusbelli · #19 02/08/13, 12:12 PM

thanks!
yup, makes sense.

Judy in IN · #20 02/09/13, 06:41 PM

An old Brower incubator would be your best bet for hatching on the cheap. You might be able to find one with a turner, or maybe use one of those cheap plastic turners. I have a Brower that holds 150 eggs. It's not fancy, but I think you can find one for around $50, and it'll still be around when you're gone.

If you do go for one of the cheap styrofoam ones, avoid Little Giant. They are prone to spikes in temperature, enough to kill your eggs. My experience.