The purpose of supplying moisture in
and incubator is to prevent excessive
drying of the natural moisture from
within the eggs. The correct amount
of humidity can be determined by the
size of the air sack when candled, or
by weighing the egg to gauge percent
of weight loss. Both methods require
knowledge and experience that rst time
operators usually do not have. The Hova-
Bator is designed for simplicity in this
matter, and works well for most species.
MOISTURE
VENT PLUG
A red vent plug is located on the top of the
incubator. This should be removed when the
incubator is used at altitudes greater than 6000
feet above sea level. The plug may also be
removed after the hatch is complete if water
drops appear on the window due to high
humidity. This will help to dry the chicks and
the incubator. If removing the plug does not
reduce the humidity enough, it may be necessary
to prop up the top slightly, to facilitate drying.
If so, be sure to maintain proper temperature.
Alternately, the top may be removed quickly, and
moisture wiped from the windows to aid drying.
Replace the plug after chicks are removed.
Chicks may be removed 24 hours after they start to hatch.
Extremely wet chicks should be left in incubator to dry. If
they don’t dry in eight or more hours, remove them to a
brooder or heat lamp, with temperatures of 95oF to 100oF
Plan to remove chicks once a day, as every time incubator
is opened, warm moist air escapes. Avoid chilling of wet
chicks. Some chicks may be late in hatching, so you can
leave remaining unhatched eggs up to 2 days longer.
Clean your incubator after the hatch with soap and water
only. The plastic liner for the Hova-Bator bottom can be
cleaned using detergents or disinfectants.
When chicks are removed
from the incubator they must
have a place that is warm and
dry. A brooder should have
one section that is heated,
with a temperature of 100
degrees (for the rst week)
and an unheated section
for exercise. Food and water should be partially in heated area.
Temperature should be reduced 5 degrees each week until it is
down to 70 degrees. Some types of chicks need a temperature
around 70 degrees until they are nearly grown.
The incubator top is not satisfactory as a brooder, as there is not
su cient heat and the chicks may peck it to pieces. Feed and
water chicks at once. Check with a local feed dealer for the proper
feed for type of chicks you have hatched.
AFTER HATCH
BROODING
Great
Hatch Recipe
- Do not bother the thermostat unless it
is absolutely necessary. The working
of the machine may be affected if the
thermostat is tampered with excessively.
- Do not over crowd the eggs.
- Keep the eggs clean. Perspiration from
the hands or any sort of grease is
injurous because it stops up the pores of
the shells.
- After each temperature adjustment, allow
ample time for temperature to stabilize.
-Avoid opening the lid during hatch.
Hatching
Time
Chicken—21 days.
Quail—23 days.
Cortunix—17 to 18
Pheasant—23 days.
Chukar—23 days.
Turkey—28 days.
Swan—30 to 37 days.
Goose—28 to 30 days.
Duck—28 to 33 days.
Parakeet— 18 days.
Parrots—28 days.
Dove—14 days.
Mynah—14 days.
Finch—14 days.
Button Quail—16 days.
Valley Quail—21 to 22 days.
Place Turner so power
cord exits through notch
in corner
Water can be
lled through
gap without
moving turner
Set up incubator as shown on page 1. If you are using the automatic egg
turner, place it on the oor in the bottom of the incubator. The turner motor
uses metal gears for additional strength when turning heavy loads. These
gears can emit noise during normal operation.
Three days before eggs are to hatch remove eggs from turner, lay them on their
side on the oor in their natural unsupported position. Add water according
to instructions. Do not attemp to hatch eggs while turner is in the incubator
as the slow turning motor could crush the chicks.When turner is removed for
hatching, maintain temperature by placing thermometer on top of eggs.
The turner operates very slowly. You should not expect to see movement
upon installation. Proper operation is detected by noting rack angle over time.
AUTOMATIC TURNER
