Review: Great introduction for the novice
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 02 17, 2014
This is not a bad book, but only three stars because it really is just okay. It could be much improved. My original review apparently didn't include enough information on what could be improved, so here is my more detailed review.The author states in her book that her information is based on incubating only six or seven times. While the information is good for a beginner, the reader is left with some questions.The author implies that in a wood heated home, due to temperature fluctuations, it is harder to hatch eggs. The author also states that during the winter time, fertility is reduced. However, I heat my home with wood, and have hatched chicks in the middle of winter with 100% success, and from older chickens, which according to the author, should not happen. This could have been due to my incubator, or many other factors. So if you want to try hatching eggs in winter, don't let the authors personal experience deter you. Just consider where your incubator is kept, such as away from drafts, enclosed room, etc.In discussion on the cost of incubating your own chicks versus buying from a hatchery/local feed store, the author states that the cost of an electric incubator and energy efficient brooder is only $2 per month. However, she doesn't state how she calculated that number. Different incubators will draw different amounts of electricity, especially bigger sized incubators. And the only energy efficient brooder heater costs almost $80 to purchase (for the small one), versus a $10 heat lamp (which is more expensive to run but less expensive to initially purchase). So the cost of incubation will vary greatly, and I can only wish my electric bill would go up by only $2 a month. If cost is a factor for you, make sure you research that fully before you choose to incubate your own chicks.The author states that you shouldn't pick eggs that are much larger or smaller than the average of the flock. However, there is no explanation of why you would not. I have never picked through to choose "average" size eggs, and I've never noticed a problem. So I would like to know what her reasoning is.Also, the author only discusses three brands of incubators, which happen to be the only three that she is familiar with, but there are other options out there, and I'm not sure what selling her chicken waterers has to do with incubators. Seemed an odd place to advertise.I think what prompted my original review, is that the author discusses weighing eggs in lieu of candleing the eggs. I realize that candeling eggs can be harmful to the developing chicks as you end up handling the eggs unnaturally. But weighing eggs results in the same thing. The eggs are taken out of the incubator (out of their ideal temperature/humidity environment), weighed, then put back. While the weight of the egg can help you determine development or not, I think that it's completely unnecessary for the audience that this book was intended for. And I especially disagree that it can increase your hatching rate. The only thing it will do is tell you is if your eggs are developing or not.Overall, the book is great in explaining the basic concepts of chick incubation, but do additional research on items that go beyond the basics. If you have never hatched your own eggs before, this book is actually really great for the beginner, and I highly recommend it. Especially if you have no clue where to start. This book can calm a lot of fears and reassure the beginner that hatching eggs is actually quite easy. Just don't get overwhelmed with the exact percentage of humidity, etc. A mother hen doesn't have a thermometer under her, and she manages to hatch eggs just fine.