When is a good time to start?

[Killerbunny]

Oh and she didn't mention sleeping by the hatcher for Day 18-21 to make sure everything stays OK? Who me OCD?

[KimChick]

Thanks for the advice everyone. And to WWW for taking the time to type all of that!
My next question is: How crucial is it to attend to the eggs everyday? For instance, can I miss a day of turning the eggs?

[Kbr42]

I have had very successful hatches by turning 3x a day for the first 10 days, then 2x a day for the remaining days.
I'm OCD about temperature 99.9 and humidity 50-55% for day 1 to 18. Lockdown 60-65%

Good luck
Cheers

[KimChick]

I'll be using a borrowed old but reliable incubator that doesn't have forced air or an egg turner. So I think the temp has to be higher, but I have to look at the manual.
We should always be OCD with temp & humidity!

[windwalkingwolf]

Thanks for the advice everyone. And to WWW for taking the time to type all of that!
My next question is: How crucial is it to attend to the eggs everyday? For instance, can I miss a day of turning the eggs?

For the first 12 days or so, turning is very important. You can get by with twice a day, but three x is better. Missing a day isn't a HUGE deal, but hatchability will go down slightly, and if the albumen sticks to the membrane at all, the embryo will stop growing and will die. Once they start blooping around in there like jellyfish, turning isn't quite so critical, but with a still air you should anyway (or at least shuffle them around) or else the eggs won't heat evenly and hatchability goes down.
Most importantly: WASH YOUR HANDS before touching your eggs!! Germs will readily migrate inside an egg, happily eat blood vessels for breakfast, and even spread to neighbouring eggs.

[Farrier1987]

A broody hen will cut out all of that folderoll.

[KimChick]

A broody hen will cut out all of that folderoll.

broody hen... not to be confused with brooding pen. :wink: