Hatching Chicken Eggs
When hatching chicken eggs, there are many things to consider. Taking time to select the right eggs, select the correct egg incubator, and being careful to maintain the correct incubation settings and temperatures all plays an important role in whether or not incubating eggs will be a success. Choosing the Right Eggs Choosing the right chicken eggs to hatch lies in taking a close look at the chickens you have laying and fertilizing the eggs. Choose the healthiest chickens that were left alone during mating season and feed a good diet. Chickens with a high fertility percentage should be chosen from the healthiest hens. Avoid choosing chickens that are related. It is important to remember that a hen's natural fertility is hardly ever 100% so expecting every egg to hatch, even under the best conditions, is not feasible. Most of the time, a hen's fertility is 55% to 95% based on a number of factors: The safest bet is to expect anywhere from half, to three quarters of the eggs to hatch. Once the right chickens have been selected take a close look at the eggs. Choose eggs that are average in size for the chicken: To learn more about egg incubators click here Before incubating the eggs, take steps to ensure they are properly cared for as this will help for a productive hatch. Keep the eggs in a cool, humid, place. An ideal temperature is 55 degrees Fahrenheit, with 75% humidity. When storing eggs, make sure they are large end up. Be sure to turn the eggs once a day, using a marking system to help keep track of the ones that have been turned. Do not store the eggs for more than 7 days before incubating them. Take time to allow the eggs to warm up before placing them in the incubator. Return From Hatching Chicken Eggs to Raising Chickens Homepage
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