What Homesteaders Aren't Telling You: Incubating and Hatching Chicken Eggs

[@dawnfinniss7978]

I'm 2 weeks ish from my first incubated clutch! I'm blown away by life especially when I see it forming before my eyes! Glory to God!!! Lovely video thank you!

[@dafnesandoval7690]

2:24 2:26 2:36

[@AndrewLale-mr9jm]

Amen to that! It is wonderful to see new life.

[@JessieBurwell]

You should really take the egg turner out on day 18 before chicks go on lock down. I have the same incubator and my chicks foot got caught underneath the tuner and broke. And plus, a given…it’s easier for them to hatch.

[@Dblood85]

Where can you get fertilized eggs?

[@dontfit6380]

@@Dblood85eBay if you wish otherwise Craigslist and Facebook

[@kalypsspylak1659]

I got store bought quail eggs 60 of them only 15 are fertile expecting hatching in 4 days u should look for a breeder if u want high hatch rate

[@maricelamarquez9536]

That's the correct thing to do 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@Alepoudiitsa]

@@Dblood85 i got mine from a grandpa he sold us 40 eggs for 20 euros , he wanted too give them for free but we told him no so he say 20 euros even if the normaly sell them twise that, but now 7 months later that my girls are making egg's my uncla ask me too hatching him some too 🥰i put them like 3 days ago, and sins i have soo much eggs i do not mind giving them away.

[@4me2know]

Wow!! Loved every minute! God is in the details! I have 17 chickens in my flock. I’m binging today on videos to see how I can hatch my first batch of chicks. Thank you for giving God the glory. Your journey in faith and teaching your littles this necessary understanding of how God provides is awesome. My kids are adults now… sure wish I’d had done this when they were little (Homestead). But my husband and I hope to pass this on to our future grandchildren, teaching them how live and flourish on your own Homestead, relishing in all God provides with a little effort on our end. Blessings to you and your family! 🙏

[@MissBetsyLu]

God is everywhere, not just in the details. Many grand blessings everyone everywhere.

[@richardthenryvideos]

​@@MissBetsyLuTo God be the glory.. amen. So cool the grand designer of all

[@victorm7274]

I have the 360 as well. Tip 1 : on lock down remove the turner to make more room for the chicks to hatch. Tip 2: through out the hatching period use a foam shelf linner cut to fit the grate to prevent splay leg. Tip 3: use a condiment squeeze bottle ( the kind for katchup and mustard) with water to fill A/B. Easy and less mess. 👍🏼

[@chickenlady2802]

Definitely

[@samanthaporter6662]

My family live in town and have a small flock, we are due to close on a small 13 acre farm on the 20th.... So many new things to learn!

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Yay!!!!! That is so great, congratulations!!!!!

[@MissBetsyLu]

13 acres is not a small homestead at all. I'm thinking an acre will do for me, since I live alone. Many grand blessings everyone everywhere.

[@jennifer.2722]

I too clicked for the title. The video was so beautifully done!! It’s REALLY inspiring. I truthfully forgot I was looking for a revelation until another comment pointed it out. Was the video “ EDUCATIONAL & INFORMATIONAL ?” No, not entirely . I don’t think YT has an education category. I did learn the egg color will be the same from which it was hatched. Oftentimes I too could be annoyed . This time , no. . Not at all.. I’m not disappointed. I don’t much care. I’m pleased for you . If times are good , you go and squeeze every bit of wholesome hearts happiness into the lives of those babies. With or without feathers!!!!

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Thank you Jennifer. Yes, I am very sorry that we had to change up the title to make it more enticing. I HATE that. But my aim is like you said, “hopefully we are able to deliver on something that is worthy of your time! Because we are so extremely grateful for you watching!!!!” The bummer is we had a different title for the first week and the views were horribly low. Once we changed it, people started to click. It’s just part of the KZbin life right now. BUT! We have a new strategy for producing some straight educational “how to” videos coming up. 😁😁

[@stormcrow1112]

Amen sister! We just decided on this same incubator and our first batch is in it right now. Loved that Grey colored chicken breed you have.

[@zodiactiller]

Thank you for saying God in this video. May His light always shine thru.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Amen!!!!

[@Maninthemiddle514]

Let' God's holy Spirit shine in these evil times...

[@Chickenmom777]

I absolutely love your story telling voice💖 you are such a Blessing to your family. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@stand942]

what a great video and the voice, perfect for a documentary

[@webcompanion]

"What a life" is so true. I've never hatched any of my own but have 15 chickens that we inherited with a recent home purchase. Learning as much as I can and we are all enjoying to journey. Chickens are pretty awesome! Thanks for this video

[@BetterTogetherLife]

John you are so right!!! Since getting some bigger animals like the pigs and cows we have fallen in and out of the joy of our chickens. But this spring while making this video we have really enjoyed our chickens!!!!!

[@joey.renaud]

Dude, I want a house that comes with chickens!!😅

[@r56865]

​@@BetterTogetherLife I advise you inkubator Rcom pro 50

[@MissBetsyLu]

​@@joey.renaud I was thinking that also. Many blessings everyone.

[@naomihatfield3015]

I just tried to improvise an incubator in my oven, and the eggs developed perfectly….up until day 19, when all six died, with the yolk sac not fully absorbed. It was a crushing blow. I knew improvised incubators have a low success rate, but this was harder than I imagined it could be.

[@deboraholiveira5755]

What a beautiful video and story! Thank you for sharing❤❤❤ God Bless your family❤

[@belindawhisman2806]

I use the disposible dog pads and they work GREAT~ No more chips in their water and I change it daily depending on how many I have in the container. No smell. I love hatching eggs.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Great tip! Thank you Belinda!!

[@belindawhisman2806]

your very welcome.

[@MissBetsyLu]

Can they be composted? Blessings all.

[@bigmoneyentertainment8955]

I have missed your content lately. This was a welcomed surprise.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Awesome THANK YOU!!! It is our plan for 2023 to upload a new every Sunday morning. WE HOPE! 🤣🤣 Consistency is never our strength. Lol!!

[@MissBetsyLu]

​@@BetterTogetherLife don't be overly hard or too strict with yourselves. Lol. We can wait 'til. Monday. many blessings everybody.

[@lesleywatkins1172]

What a fabulous video! 😊

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Oh thank you sooooo much Lesley! We would love it if you are able to share it on your social platforms! It would be a huge help to the channel. 😁😁

[@victorn6065]

Just want to compliment your very likeable story telling style!

[@servihomestead4324]

What a great family experience. Nice video. I like that incubator.

[@aristotlemaniago8801]

You are a great story teller 😊

[@genesismccormack7540]

Yeah! We need more chicken snacks! And the snacks are great for training our loud guineas…so loud but they eat many bugs the chickens do not.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Oh wow!!! You have guineas?!?! So fun!

[@MissBetsyLu]

What are you training for? Blessings everyone.

[@garyvee6023]

I have hatched hundreds of chicks and still get a thrill when they hatch ..., and disappointed when they don't. 🐣🥰 A 2kg (nearly 4.4lb) bag of dried mealworms costs $85..., plus shipping and that's the CHEAPEST you can buy them here in Australia, making them a very very special treat only. 😢

[@MissBetsyLu]

Can't you raise your own? Or raise fly larvae?? Many grand blessings everyone everywhere.

[@dontfit6380]

Use a deep litter system in your hen house and eventually the bedding will be full of meal worms. Well I guess I don’t know about Australia. Over there meal worms probably try to kill you. 😂

[@sylviaboroviak7847]

Come to England, they are £5 for 1kg bag 😂😂😂

[@Rebecca-GLaines]

I loved the video! Super sweet and exiting too! But I clicked on it to see what the secret was that I wasn't being told? What was the secret? Lol

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Rebecca, I have to say. You got me. I had a different title for this video and no one clicked on it. We thought it was a really helpful and entertaining video that is family friendly. So I came up with a few different titles and this was the one that helped reach the most people. Hopefully we were able to deliver with a decent incubating and hatching video!!

[@Rebecca-GLaines]

@@BetterTogetherLife Well I loved it! I was just making sure I didn't miss something haha! I subscribed and watched several more of your videos:)

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Oh THANK YOU sooooo much Rebecca!! That means so much!

[@kaikelanihoala6716]

You did not remove the divider at day 18

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Ours stops rotating

[@kaikelanihoala6716]

Yes but they say to remove the divider so the chicks can move around. Also I bought some rubbery shelf liner that has small holes in it from Walmart and put it on the tray under the rotator and it makes it easier on the newborn chicks feet and easier to clean the incubator

[@joey.renaud]

I have that incubator. How did you stop the tray from continuing to rotate around without removing it?

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Not sure, it just stops automatically for us.

[@Howz_That]

What sort of incubator are you using?

[@BetterTogetherLife]

You couldn’t decipher the riddle?? I mean you’re Sherlock Holmes!!! 🤣 No it’s just a boring one from Tractor Supply.

[@Howz_That]

@@BetterTogetherLife 🤣🤣🤣 I'm slipping for sure. I bought a 24 egg incubator here paid$150 and omg it was impossible to stabilise the humidity no matter what I did. I drilled a vent into the lid which did help to a certain degree but not enough so looking for a more stable incubator.

[@user-tr3kf9hs6g]

Beautiful color eggs. How is it if my hens sit naturally its 28 days with incubators it takes only 21? My incubator is on its way looking forward to trying this

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Oh super weird, 28 days that is bizarre for sure!

[@SwatchMeCrochet]

It took my hen 28 days too

[@rongray4587]

Well done!

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Thanks

[@enc_rax]

What’s the ideal temp and humidity?

[@robotmechanic3923]

the temp is set at 99.5 on the machine, but you have to add water to it. The thing with this incubator is, I can't leave the chicks inside of it to dry, because the humidity goes way over 75, like 85-89% which will kill other new hatching chicks. I had to learn that the hard way, because nobody talks about it. If you live in a high humidity climate be sure to keep an eye on that.

[@KambriaS]

What a beautiful video!

[@StefanieKirby]

Why didn't you remove the turner at lockdown?

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Not sure what you mean. It doesn't turn at lockdown? At least ours doesn't. If it turns then it could hurt the baby chicks.

[@StefanieKirby]

@Better Together Homestead It's on the instructions "When the days-to-hatch countdown reaches 3 days prior to hatch, the egg turner will automatically stop turning the eggs and the egg turner indicator light will be OFF. This is a reminder to remove the egg turner from incubator base and to increase the humidity. Open the incubator and slowly and gently lift the egg turner up out of the motor shaft (egg turner is detachable), and then close the incubator. The eggs do not need to be removed in order to remove the egg turner. The egg turner must be removed 3 days prior to hatch to allow enough space for the chicks to exit the shell, otherwise chicks may become stuck in the shell."

[@erinhawks6602]

​@BetterTogetherLife take the actual turning rack out of the unit on day 18 or aka lock down day. If not, you will actually run the risk of chicks hurting themselves during hatching not to mention they actually need to roll and move on their own to put themselves in the correct position once they have pipped and are unzipping. If you keep the rack in the incubator the chick has a harder time turning. That's actually why we don't use that model and instead use a larger box style model with rails that goes a cross the unit and once it goes into lock down, we take all the eggs out of the rails lay they on the bottom grate and then, wait for hatching. Once they start hatching they have plenty of room to fully hatch and dry out without harming themselves or the others who have not hatched yet.

[@yahssweetwatergarden3117]

I love it!😊

[@tiggercares]

Great Video

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Oh thank you soooo much!!!

[@sobatternakmandiri]

Good job

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Thank you!

[@Judten1]

Unable to find link and discount for mealworms!

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Oh that's weird, it should be in the description. But no worries here you go! jo.my/yt_smpc_05_march_better_life_together

[@josebrito-ensinamentosedro2661]

Parabéns pelo vídeo, ganhou mais um inscrito.

[@carringtonherrington4025]

How do you know which eggs will be hens?

[@Elarabrunoleah]

How long did it take for the chics to hatch after the first crack. One of my eggs has a star shaped crack on it, it’s ready to be born😍 but I’m not sure how long and I’m scared it might not make it🙁

[@MissBetsyLu]

How did things turn out??? Many fabulous blessings everyone everywhere.

[@FnafTaylor]

My class is hatching chicks so cute

[@templenaff5598]

The turner should come out on lockdown day (18).

[@andyharley2525]

I guess the promo code is no longer available.

[@MonzoJokela]

looks so cute

[@ManjitKaur-on6dq]

Ma’am After hatching how long chicks can stays in the incubator ? Should we take them out same time or live them in it 1,2 days?

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Totally up to you. Sometimes if you open the incubator and chicks are partially hatched, the membrane can stick to the egg. Most chicks will hatch writhing twenty four hours of each other. But a chick can survive off the yolk that long. So totally up to you. They can come out as soon as they are fluffy.

[@doityourselflivinggardenin7986]

No, the female chicks will not necessarily lay the same color egg they hatch from. Genetics are involved and the rooster has an influence in that department as well. Chicks should not spend 3 days in an incubator. It is too hot, the humidity is not right for them, and the bacteria load is not good. They also cannot get to food and water and will begin to peck at each other. Move them out as soon as they are dried and fluffed. Chicks do not need to have their beaks dipped in water. I can assure you, they will find water if you place it close to where the warmth is and it is low and accessible. This beak dipping is old advice that wasn't accurate 40 years ago, but keeps getting spread around constantly. I've hatched thousands of chicks. They all found the food and water quickly. Chicks peeping do not encourage other chicks to hatch. They peep because they want their mother to cover them. Chicks that hatch under a broodie hen are quiet and they hatch very well. If they were not quiet, varmints would find them and eat them. Good to see chicks hatching! THAT never gets old. I personally would not spend $33 on a bag of treats for chickens, but each to their own. Your chickens get to free range and eat veggies and bugs. It doesn't get better than that! All the best with your homestead!

[@erinhawks6602]

Thank you! There was so much wrong with this video that I wanted to scream. I hope others who are starting their first incubator hatching don't use this video as a reference point.

[@KennelDarkforce-bb6ps]

How much humidity do you maintain throughout

[@BetterTogetherLife]

The instructions tell you. But I think at varying times it’s between 70 and 90🤷‍♀️. It’s been a while, I could be wrong.

[@KennelDarkforce-bb6ps]

@@BetterTogetherLife allright.. thanks 😊

[@oakleydavid7619]

If you will let half bag of feed to get wet and leave it for while it will produce maggots. Some chickens love them

[@Spiritofthewild-d9o]

which came first the chicken or the rooster

[@Chipup49]

When the chick is in the incubator how do u feed it

[@SwatchMeCrochet]

Chicks can live for 3 dys off of the yoke it absorbs before hatching

[@Bengalpatriot1]

Read your manual.... take the egg turner out on day 18... you could trap a chick or break a leg😢❤

[@terriwhite6273]

Grumbly farms are from US vs China. Just an option.

[@Dblood85]

We’re can you order fertilized eggs?

[@BetterTogetherLife]

We just got some from a local chicken lady. But I think eBay and Etsy has sellers

[@gamedog1snapper]

Leave them in the incubator for 3 days? When can you put them with adult chickens

[@austinbennett9926]

Get the rotating tray out of there

[@oakleydavid7619]

Nice video.

[@Keanu-x7w]

My God--those chicks went through hell trying to get out of those shells because the wheel had them trapped-remove the turner wheel for God sakes.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

April 10% Off Code: www.amazon.com/promocode/A7AIWYL3GFNXN?maas=maas_adg_A10E827117B0F2FAAF4C479EE666A42D_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas

[@Chipup49]

And did all the egg hatch

[@growthmotivemedia]

Hi I love what you doing

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Glad you’re here! Thanks!

[@2nostromo]

Little dinosaurs!

[@morganwhitworth484]

It's sad that some human feel Superior to animals and discard them when done with them hate me if u want to but it's the truth

[@justinsane7128]

I've got 28 pipping Today ..

[@MissBetsyLu]

Too Cool for words. Many blessings all.

[@loraypruitt5922]

😊😊

[@1.01karma4]

No roosters hatched

[@BetterTogetherLife]

We actually did. Oops. 🤣🤣

[@victoriahart1630]

Baby chicks should be with their mothers. Period.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

What? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 How many mothers do you think laid these eggs? 😂😂😂😂😂

[@2nostromo]

There's no God tho

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Tell us more if you'd like to discuss. All the best.

[@A5J4DX]

Lovely commentary and it would never be perfect if there was no mention of God. Alhamdulillah! Thank you the video!

[@TT3TT3]

Incubators might be good for eggs but they seemso uncomfortable for chicks.

[@skydyverjym]

Clickbait

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Why?

[@skydyverjym]

@@BetterTogetherLife the title. I watched the video because of the title. I wanted to hear what homesteaders aren't telling me about incubating and hatching chickens. You hardly provided any info at all, there are a great many videos chock full of it and most of them have more info and it is more detailed than yours. I wanted to learn something. I clicked on your video because you baited me into believing that there was at least one single iota of esoteric data that I don't yet have. I barely know a thing about hatching eggs but I knew more than your video claimed it would inform me of before I watched your video

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Thank you for explaining your thoughts. As a KZbinr that constantly has to fight for winning an audience’s attention, it is a never ending task on making titles. To me, clickbait is when the title/thumbnail has NOTHING to do with the video. OR, that it is some sort of sexual thumbnail that makes the viewer think they are going to see something scandalous. Which to me….is horrible and only promotes the lowest form of our society. Now, if you were to say, “enticing title”. Then I would say yes. My question is, did you enjoy the video? We spent about 20hrs of work into this video that only has made us about $40 so far. It will make hopefully make more over time. But our aim is to build an audience of viewers we can connect with and to share our adventure of being first generation homesteaders. I apologize if this single video’s title put a bad taste in your mouth. Hopefully you will give us a chance in the future. All the best. -Beau and Kelly Ps, sorry for any typos

[@skydyverjym]

@@BetterTogetherLife I can fully appreciate every single thing you said. All that and more is exactly why I have decided to not produce content and just consume. One thing I am going to have to do is rewatch the video. If your contact info is in your about section, maybe I will follow up if you care to hear. Enough has been aired publicly and I'm not here to only complain and I am certainly not a troll. Perhaps you responded merely due to the small number of notifications you get, but the "big guys" certainly don't respond 99.9% of the time. They get views ergo $ and simply don't care if their content satisfies or not. Yes I watch a lot of their stuff anyway. I would rather support a channel more like yours but the algorithm is against you. I am no longer a productive member of society, I have no tv and do not subscribe to a single streaming service. KZbin is my sole source of education and entertainment and I can sometimes spend more time watching videos here than most people spend on the clock wherever or whatever type of job or occupation. Not saying I influence the algorithm, but if I could, I would

[@skydyverjym]

@@BetterTogetherLife kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWPbeY2GfZqGpMk I definitely agree with your definition of clickbait but I also think that is not the end of the definitions as evidenced by the video in the link above. Clickbait is a title that baits you into clicking, hence click and bait, regardless of how relevant, irrelevant, true or false, misleading, or spot on the title is.

[@Vasco_555]

Buy the cheapest meat and put it somewhere the fox or cat can't reach and let it rot

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Wwwwwwwwhat?

[@Vasco_555]

@@BetterTogetherLife Then you will have maggots for chickens

[@zach9962]

Clickbait title cya

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Why?

[@Revelation22-13]

Matthew 7:11 King James Version 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

[@erwinfilius818]

You had me until you started talking about god 🤮

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Oh wow. Well He loves you! All the best.