Sanitizing the incubator & brooder

bergy · **Joined:** Fri Jun 01, 2012 8:53 pm **Posts:** 21

Hi, on a previous topic The question was asked "did you sanitize the incubator" My question is what do you use to do it (white king ???) and how long after treating it before you can put more eggs in.I have wiped mine out with white king but it now smells 2 days later.When would it be safe to put eggs in ???
Thanks

doggo · **Posted:** Tue Jan 29, 2013 5:18 pm

Hi Bergy
As far as I know the active constituent in White King is sodium hypochlorite which should dissipate fairly quickly in a reasonably warm airy environment and would be OK by now. If you want to be really sure you could run the incubator empty for half an hour before setting the eggs.
I have to confess that I don't normally sanitize my incubators or brooders but just give them a quick clean between batches and a thorough clean up and dry at the end of the season. Even then I am mainly looking to remove any dander and other hatching detritus from the incubators.
In my view feather dander from hatching is the main problem and I use a careful application of compressed air to remove it. Like a lot of other people I use a separate hatcher to save the fans and electronic components in my good incubator.

bergy · **Joined:** Fri Jun 01, 2012 8:53 pm **Posts:** 21

Thanks for the response Doggo,When you say you use a separate hatcher. could you please describe the process. I'm assuming you remove the eggs to another location (hatcher) when???. when does this take place ?? ie day 18.There would clearly be heat.(what temp?? 37 degrees??) This concept appeals to me as there would be no mess in the incubator.Then when they hatch they could be removed to the brooder.Sounds excellent
Thanks

doggo · **Posted:** Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:37 pm

I'm not sure what other people do but I usually move them into the hatcher any time from day 18 until they pip.
My hatcher is just an old home made incubator in which the components are fairly cheap and easy to replace.
Temperature and humidity are the same as usual so aim for a bit higher humidity in the hatcher for that last stage.

Redlandera · **Joined:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:49 pm **Posts:** 10

Before it became unavailable, a teaspoonful of formaldehyde in a saucer with some condies crystals was what was used to `bomb' an incubator.
Some experienced breeders say it's OK to wash eggs with a sterilising, some don't.
If an incubator is suspect, it could be incubating pathogens just as well as it incubates eggs.

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

My incubator and hatcher = I use soap and warm water (not too warm just pleasant to the skin) to wash – warm water to rinse then allow it to dry then spray with a solution of Virkon leaving that on to dry
Between uses = between seasons I make sure it is aired well – I usually only do 2 hatches a year and I always reclean them before I start them up each season

MixaCoop · **Joined:** Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:02 am **Posts:** 3

Is domstos lemon ok to clean the incubator with?

MixaCoop · **Joined:** Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:02 am **Posts:** 3

Is domestos ok????

andrewschooks · **Posted:** Fri Feb 08, 2013 8:29 am

I think it would be ok just rinse it well and let it dry and air out

MixaCoop · **Joined:** Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:02 am **Posts:** 3

Cool thanks Andrew

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