Anyone into hatching eggs? What incubator do I need?

You need the real deal!

There are some little incubators that do just the 3 (rcom 3) and you can work your way up from there to thousands.
Don't recommend the RCOM 20 as I have had loads of problems with humidity control. Think I have heard that octagon ones are pretty good.

I have got a new octagon 20 Auto advanced really good digital and does it all for you no need to set it just add water every third day so long as the vents are open to what it recommends and reads humidity levels automatically.

Would'nt hesitate buying another one.

Thanks will have a look at those on the interwebthingy ta. With mother nature how do you help that along as none of my ladies seem interested in sitting in a nest box when there is scratching and eating to be done. Do you just leave an egg in the nest and see what happens? Cheers for the help.

Good broodies are: Silkies and silkie crosses, pekins, sussex particulary the bantams, cochins, orpingtons, australorp bantams, old English game.

Hybrids tend to have the maternal brooding instinct bred out of them.

Just bought this month's practical poultry - it has an article on incubators and hatching eggs you might find interesting and links to possible suppliers of eggs!

Hi Mark

Sometimes broodies wont like you taking the eggs, they'll peck at you  They also tend to be more talkative but not a noisy cluck more of a purr.
The way I tell is by placing my hand under the hen (palm up wards) and if she's broody she will snuggle down onto your hand

Re the chick in the nest, if you get a broody hen and she sits fertile eggs to hatch she is best moved in to her own quarters as soon as possible where she wont be disturbed by the other hens. Then if/when the chicks hatch they'll be safe. Moving is best done in the evening or at night
Some people use arks for this but they will need some extra room.
Chicks need to be kept safe from over head predators like magpies & seagulls as they will take babies

Sarah

Hi Mark

Yes she'll need to have a separate house and run for whilst she's broody and for rearing the chicks.
The other hens could kill the babies


Sarah