Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 10/29/2006

Question
Hi, i was wondering if you can tell me some steps on how to hatch an egg, also do you know where i can get a incubator for cheap, with an egg turner and a fan? if you have any advice on  it can you please tell me. thanks alot

Answer
Hi, Danny.  Thanks for posting!

Since I don't have any idea of your financial situation, you can find lots of incubators for sale if you do a Google search using the search string "avian incubators."  You may not find one specifically for parrot eggs...you'll need to look for poultry or fowl incubators (they perform the same function).  They come in all price ranges.  An incubator should come with instructions on how to use it (at least the ones I've purchased came with instructions).  If not, you can find information also on the internet using the search string "incubating avian eggs" or "incubating parrot eggs" or something similar.  There's a lot of information out there.

If you have an egg right now that needs to be incubated, it will likely be too late by the time you find, purchase, receive, and learn how to use an incubator.

Also, be aware that if you incubate any eggs and they hatch, you will have to handfeed any babies every 1-3 hours round the clock (yes, even during the night) until they are about 7 days old (depending on the individual bird).  This is not an easy thing to do because the babies are so tiny (you have to feed them without killing them in the process).  If you don't have the knowledge of how to handfeed, etc., you have a whole lot to learn in a very short amount of time.

Chrys