In order to raise healthy chicks, the first thing to worry about is choosing an incubator. You can get an inexpensive analog or digital one that can save you a lot of hassle. You can also do it yourself. But, whatever the decision, in order not to be disappointed later, you should follow a few simple rules.
Instructions
Step 1
Prepare eggs for incubation. They should be the same size, medium is ideal. Weak chicks can hatch from small ones. Too large are unsuitable, as they are often two-yolk.
Step 2
Shine a light bulb over each egg. They should not have any dark spots. If you notice a stain, in no case use the embryo - this is a marriage. Pay attention to the integrity of the shell. Eggs with defects, cracks, strong roughness are not suitable.
Step 3
Do not use dirty eggs or wash them immediately before incubation.
Step 4
Disinfect the eggs. A quartz lamp is perfect for this. Hang it over the table, about 40 centimeters high. Irradiate them for a minute and a half on each side. Remember that the light from a quartz lamp is dangerous when looking directly at it, so pay attention to protecting your eyes. But do not use liquid disinfectants on eggs. This can significantly harm the future brood.
Step 5
Rotate the eggs 90 degrees several times a day. In order not to get lost, draw crosses on one side and zeroes on the other with a pencil. Give one more exposure before hatching. This can be done right in the incubator.
Step 6
Avoid overheating and high humidity. Because of this, the embryos may die. The optimum temperature in the incubator should not exceed 38 degrees Celsius and be at least 35 ° C. Provide adequate ventilation. If done correctly, you will have a healthy brood in about 3 weeks.
Step 7
Give the newborns finely crushed millet and water immediately after taking them out of the incubator. The color of the cereal should be bright yellow. This means that it contains a lot of vitamin A, which is very important in the early days. Also, from the first days, you can give chopped greens and carrots or special food.
Step 8
Irradiate the area where the chicks were during incubation. This will help kill bacteria.
Step 9
Please note that males hatch later than females, so only females can be the first and second broods.
