Using an Incubator to hatch birds

If you do not wish to have chickens or waterfowl using a broody hen, or if you want the more 'hands on' tequnique you can hatch the birds in an incubator.

Incubators are readily available. Many produce stores have them, or there are speciality shops Austraila wide who will mail order them to you. Incubators come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, some holding a handful of eggs, others holding 1000s. It is always a personal preference as to what brand you use. Often the larger incubators can be as cheap as the smaller ones.

The basic principal of all incubators is the same. Too keep the air temperature around the eggs constant to allow easy hatching. there are two types of incuubators, still air - the air does not circulate, it is heated by the element and kept at that temperature and Fan Forced which circulate the air constantly around the eggs. I find that fan forced are a little more reliable compared to the still airs that i have tried.

Incubators need a constant humidity. Most incubators on the market now have a wet bulb thermometer which measures the humidity in the incubator. Others don't - for the ones that don't spraying the eggs twice a day with warm water is usually sufficient.

Eggs need to be turned a minimum of twice a day. Often this means physically turning them - put a cross on one side of the egg with a pensil so you know which side to turn. Alternatively you can purchase incubators with an automatic turning system.

Chook eggs take 18-21 days to hatch. Some breeds hatch faster than others so do not throw the eggs away because 5 hatched on the 20th day. Some people i know wait to 25 days.

Mallard deived ducks (anything except for muscovies) take 28-30 days.

Muscovies take 34-37 days.

Geese take 30 days to hatch.

Once hatched the young birds should be allowed to either dry in the incubator or placed in a clean brooder box. A brooder box is designed to provide ample heat for the young birds until they feather.

Brooder boxes need to be large enough to accomodate your birds until around 5 weeks of age.

A brooder box can be made of cardboard or wood. Basically have a box fully unclosed with room to have two lamp fittings running. Place for the first week 2 40 watt globes, then you can graduate down to a 40 and a 25 watt for the second to forth weeks and then 2 25 watt globes as from 4 weeks to six weeks. Depending on the time of year some birds may need longer in the brooder boxes, especially if you are in a cold winter snap.

The basic principals of raising chickens apply to riasing them in brooders.

You need to feeed and water your young birds at least twice a day, and clean their litter when dirty.

Between 5 and 7 weeks of age my birds graduate from the brooder box. They then go to a clean pen with lots of shavings. For the first week or two they are given a upended cardboard box with doorways cut in the side. The birds can then huddle inside if it is cold and their body heat is trapped by the box. Often chickens will need some assistance with getting inside for the first few nights.

Once out side they can be let out to free range at 8-10 weeks of age. Bear in mind they will get into everything. At about 15 weeks of age you can introduce them to the older hens and roosters. At this age they are old enough to fend for themselves. But keep and eye out for them, and make sure they are not suffering too much - if they are remove them and try again in a week or two.

Between 18 and 25 weeks the eggs will start soming. At this age they are Point of Lay pullets. The eggs will be small at first and will increase in size with age.