3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[kittyl]

I'm thinking of hatching 6 bantam faverolles, I've found the eggs, I have someone to take them

What I don't have is a broody at the right time! (typical!) So if I go ahead with this I shall hire

a small incubator. Can anyone recommend a place to get one (I'm in Northants) in this part

of the world?

I thought that if one of my girls then turns broody during the process I could transfer the eggs

to her to finish off, has anyone done that? would it confuse her if they hatched in a shorter

time than she expects?

Edited March 11, 2013 by Guest

[Redwing]

Where are you in Northants? if you can get the eggs to me my incubator is on at the moment and they could go in there

 

You can transfer the eggs. If you manage to hire an incubator and so have the eggs at home then I would candle them before transferring to ensure you are only putting fertile eggs under the hen. If the eggs are being incubated elsewhere you can transfer them, the longer the distance involved the later in the process you should transfer (as later in the incubation period the embryo can retain more heat on its own)

 

The hen doesnt understand the passing of the days. In fact its almost better to put eggs under later on as she will not have lost condition from sitting for 21 days. I often transfer eggs as late as day 21 to broodies

[kittyl]

thankyou Redwing, I'd really want to hatch them here, I'm doing this for the pleasure of

hatching & raising them, then they'll be going to a breeder friend to sell. (although if there's

enough girls I might just have to keep one)

Anyway, thankyou for the advice. I'm still looking for the incubator, cheapest I've found at the mo

is £50 for 3 weeks. I've looked at 2nd hand ones too, not the best time as lots of other people after them

too. Perhaps it would be best to buy one new & sell it on next spring.

[kittyl]

I've decided to take the plunge and buy a small incubator,

the cheapest I can find I the brinsea mini eco, but reading other people's tales it may be worth getting the Advance.

I also found the Octagon 20 eco for just over £100

Can anyone recommend out of these - I've hatched twice but never with an incubator(for 6 eggs)