Incubators will be preset to 37.6oC so once collected are plug and go. Automatic incubators turn the eggs for you, manual incubators require you to turn eggs by hand 3 times per day. I dry hatch in all my incubators which means I don't add water at the start or for the final 3 days. Simply set the eggs and leave them to hatch.
Eggs are set on Day 0 and hatch on Day 21 for Large Fowl (or Day 18 for bantams). Please don't be worried if eggs start hatching a day early or a day late as this can commonly happen. Leave the chicks to hatch by themselved and don't be tempted to 'help' them out of their eggs. I recommend leaving chicks in the incubator for 24hours after they've hatched before moving them to the brooder so they they have fluffed up and are stronger.

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We are in contact with local breeders who supply us with pure and rare breed hatching eggs. Breeds we usually hatch include Cream Legbar, Marans, Welsummer and Pekin Bantams. These breeds have been chosen for their friendly nature and interesting egg colours.
If you have a preference of breed you would like to hatch, please let us know and we will accommodate wherever possible - please remember the breeding season starts in Spring and Summer so availability is usually limited during winter months.

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Chicks are returned to us following incubator hires; these chicks will be grown on to adulthood in our home and not 'sent to a farm'.
Hens will usually join our pet flock or be sold to pet homes. Cockerels will be rehomed for breeding wherever possible or humanely dispatched, usually utilised and raised free range for the table so that they do not go to waste.
Should you wish to keep chicks this should be discussed in advance as they may be available to buy. Chicks will not be sexed until they are 8 weeks old and must always be raised in groups and providing you have the correct equipment and housing.

They are able to integrate with adult hens from 18 weeks of age. 
 

We require a refundable cash deposit to cover equipment being hired, this will be confirmed on booking.

All equipment and hatching eggs are supplied in good faith in that we hope eggs are fertile and will hatch. Many factors can affect fertility including time of year and how eggs are stored or handled, if collected or posted.

 

I can only give instructions and advice. The hirer is responsible for the whole incubation process including candling of eggs and of chicks whilst in their care. We will always be on hand to give support online or over the phone.

We provide instructions from our experience but cannot guarantee fertility of all eggs. If fertility and hatch rate is poor, please contact us to discuss. We may be able to supply chicks or new hatching eggs depending on season and availability of incubators.