It's a great activity for you and your children.You can do it at home with a frying pan and a few simple steps.Making sure eggs are at the right temperature is the most important part of egg-infusion.If you do the right things, you will see tiny chick hatching out of your eggs in three weeks.
Step 1: An electric frying pan with a glass lid is a great choice.
Purchase an electric frying pan large enough to hold a lot of eggs.You can find one at your local store.Purchase a frying pan with a glass lid so you can watch your eggs while the lid is still on it.There are frying pans with temperature control.Some frying pans only have an on/off switch.Choose one that allows you to set the temperature.Eggs are porous.The holes on the lid of the frying pan allow fresh air to circulate.
Step 2: The pan should be cleaned.
It is important to wash your electric frying pan in order to prevent the spread ofbacteria to your eggs.Dust and debris should be wiped down with a dry cloth.To clean the inside and lid, use a damp cloth and dish soap.Before plugging in the incubator, allow it to dry thoroughly.
Step 3: Place the liner in the bottom of the incubator for bedding.
There are many options for bedding your eggs.You can line it with something.Place an even layer at the bottom of the pan to make sure you have enough room to put the eggs and lid on top.If you use a cloth, make sure it's not wet.You can squeeze out the excess water by wet it.This will help keep your pan moist.
Step 4: A cool area is where the incubator should be.
It is important to maintain the correct temperature.The incubator should be placed in an area where it won't get a lot of room-temperature change.If you put the incubator near a window, it will receive direct sunlight.The embryo could be killed by the increased temperature of the eggs in the incubator.Incubation can be done in your basement.Constant temperature and humidity will be provided by this area of the house.
Step 5: The temperature needs to be kept at 100 degrees.
The range for the incubator is between 97 and 102 degrees.To make sure the frying pan stays within the range, use the temperature to set it.It is important to maintain this temperature in order to achieve success.Your egg may not hatch if the temperature drops below 96 degrees.You may have to cook the eggs if the temperature is too high.You will slow their metabolism if it is too low.
Step 6: Measure humidity by using a wet bulb thermometer.
The humidity in the incubator should be between 60 and 65 percent, with an increase to 75 percent during the last 3 days.At most poultry supply companies, you can purchase a wet bulb thermometer.The humidity can be measured using a hydrometer.Adding a wet sponge or small glass bowl of water to the pan will bring more humidity into the environment.
Step 7: The pan should be tested before the process starts.
If you want to make sure your electric frying pan is working, try it for 24 to 48 hours.It is important to check the temperature and humidity several times a day.
Step 8: You need to get fertile eggs.
The right eggs are needed in order for this to work.The eggs you find at the supermarket are not fertile.You can get eggs from a local farm.
Step 9: You need to wash your hands thoroughly.
Before handling eggs, you should wash your hands.This will prevent the transfer ofbacteria to the eggs or their environment.If your eggs are dirty, you don't need to wash them.Warm water and mild detergent can be used if this is the case.The damage to the egg can be caused by heavy scrubbing.
Step 10: Place the eggs in the incubator.
Eggs should be on their sides.When placing the eggs, position them so that the more pointed end is facing down and the larger one is up in the air.If the pointed end is higher, the embryo may not be able to break through the shell when it comes time to hatch.
Step 11: Three times a day, place the eggs in the 90 to 180 degrees range.
The purpose of turning the eggs is to keep the developing embryo inside the egg whites.The embryos will die if you leave the eggs in one position.You should do the same as a hen rotates its eggs.The position that is up the longest at night will change when the eggs are turned an odd number of times.Move the eggs to a different part of the pan to protect them from temperature variation.Carefully mark the date or an "X" on each egg with a permanent marker so you know if they have been turned.
Step 12: The eggs need to be candled after 7 days.
Candling is the process of using a light source to see how the embryo is developing.You can put a flashlight into the egg by going into a dark room.The embryo will look cloudy.As you near the hatch date, it will increase in size.The egg will not hatch if there is no embryo visible.When candling, look for problem signs, such as blood rings, which indicate the embryo has died and the blood vessels have separated from it.
Step 13: Leave the eggs untouched for 3 days before hatching.
The eggs should be left as is three days prior to the hatch date.The period is called the lockdown.Don't bother the eggs during this time because the egg yolk is going to be absorbed into the chick's body.The process may be disrupted by touching the egg.Chicken eggs hatch in 21 days.The birds and turkeys take 28 days to hatch.
Step 14: The electric frying pan needs to have a higher humidity level.
The humidity should be 70% three days prior to hatching.Adding more water to the sponge or glass bowl can help you achieve this.Unless absolutely necessary, do not open the incubator during these final days.
Step 15: The temperature should be lowered to 95 degrees after the chick hatch.
Leave the frying pan closed until eggs hatch.They can live in the incubator for up to 3 days after hatching.Before removing them, this allows them to dry off and fluff up.The eggs are able to survive on the yolk in the pan because they absorb it during the hatching process.