I've been and gone and done it!!!

[Scottishnewbie]

OMG, I was just messing around on ebay (as you do!) and before I knew it, I'd bought, yes BOUGHT 12 hatching eggs..........I only bought the second hand incubator the other day - I don't even know how it works or what I'm supposed to do....BEFORE or AFTER hatching...always assuming that some hatching actually takes place!

6 x light sussex and 6 x rhode island reds!!!!!!!!

Tell me I'm not daft please!!! And also offer me any advice/suggestions I need to know p-l-e-a-s-e!!!!

[MaureenHall]

Nah you're not daft - or if you are then you're in the right place here

Better get that incubator set up and up to temperature, between 37.5 and 38.5 (mine was at 38.1 just above the eggs). Leave it on to make sure that it's stable before you put your eggs in. Leave the eggs to settle for a good 24 hours before you put them in the incubator. Mark each egg on opposite sides (not the ends) (I use A & B, some people use O & X) so you know which side to turn them to next. They take 21 days or thereabouts to hatch, count the day you put them in as Day 0. Turn the eggs an odd number of times a day so that they're not on the same side every night, minimum of 3 times a day (I turned mine 5 times except on the 2 days I was out then it was 3 times). When you've turned the eggs for the last time on Day 18, don't turn them any more. Increase the humidity in the incubator by putting in a small container (medicine measure is ok) with water and a bit of sponge so the chicks don't drown if they climb into it. Then just wait

Good luck and fingers crossed for a good hatch with lots of girlies

[walldanzig]

Particularly the sponge bit mine hatched while I was at work yesterday and when I got home one was sat in the water container bottom in legs in the air tucked right in. Not a clue how it got in there

[MaureenHall]

Yup, nowt as daft as chickens plus water even at that early age

[Hilary B]

Yup, nowt as daft as chickens plus water even at that early age

That sounds like someone who has never kept turkeys..........
When it comes to stupid (at any age) turkeys leave chooks at the starting post!

[MaureenHall]

That sounds like someone who has never kept turkeys..........
When it comes to stupid (at any age) turkeys leave chooks at the starting post!

Very true Hilary, I've never kept turkeys

[Hilary B]

Very true Hilary, I've never kept turkeys

Until you've had much to do with turkeys, you haven't SEEN stupid! Look into the eye of a turkey and you can see the total absence of any spark of intelligence behind there........
They really are quite impressive about it!

[Madasafish]

Turkeys are stupid.. but pheasants are worse....

[bluemoon]

Been there, done that.

[Birdie Wife]

Congratulations! Nothing like chucking yourself in the deep end, hey? I would receommend you get a copy of Katie Thears book on incubating eggs, toute suite. Can't remember the exact title but I'm sure you'll work it out. It's really good!

[Scottishnewbie]

Thank you sooo much folks (though not sure bout the turkey advice!!). At least I can (hopefully) get them to day 21 safely enough.... will go to amazon and get the book today but any suggestions on what I do AFTER they hatch? Many thanks in advance

[Scottishnewbie]

Book ordered - many thanks for suggestions

[MaureenHall]

Keep us posted on progress and DON'T WORRY!!!! When the eggs hatch (can be a long slow process) you can safely leave the chicks in the incubator for the first 24 hours, they don't need food or drink, they're still using up their yolk. More questions nearer the time, and pictures are of course compulsory

[Hilary B]

Turkeys are stupid.. but pheasants are worse....

Pheasants are half-domesticated, and then expected to life an almost wild life. Of course they make a mess of it! Turn a few turkeys out at the age pheasants get released, and half of them would be dead by next morning!

[Suechooks]

Book ordered - many thanks for suggestions

I think there's a good bit on rearing so should see you ok!