Separate incubator from hatchery?

So let me first state that I'm not TRYING to complicate things more than they need be, but I lost a duck to a predator last week and she was a GREAT layer. I have 2 of her eggs from the last few days of her life but I can't set them in the incubator yet as I'm 9 days out from a hatch.

If I wait for this hatch before I set these eggs, then these eggs are going to be a bit too old.

So, here's the question can I build a hatchery for lockdown on this batch to get a head start on the next batch? What to I need to keep in mind for this setup?

Thanks!

I'm just a hatching newbie, but one thing I know you can do. If you're sure you can get a second incubator before the first group goes into lockdown, you can have both groups in the same incubator, and then separate them again on or before the first lockdown.

ETA: obviously, you will need to make sure you don't lose track of which eggs go in which group. (Figured I better say that and not assume everyone reading would just know it.)

I run two incubators (pretty much all the time ). One is used as a dedicated incubator, the other as a hatcher. I like this set up because the one used for the first 18 days stays clean, and I can add new eggs every week or two. It works well for me, but it makes it awfully tempting to set every single egg thats laid around here

Finnie said:

I'm just a hatching newbie, but one thing I know you can do. If you're sure you can get a second incubator before the first group goes into lockdown, you can have both groups in the same incubator, and then separate them again on or before the first lockdown.

ETA: obviously, you will need to make sure you don't lose track of which eggs go in which group. (Figured I better say that and not assume everyone reading would just know it.)

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So yeah. They have them in stock at the local feed store or I could get one via Amazon and have it it by Thursday. That's at least 5 days before lock down, but I was hoping to cobble something together instead of shelling out $45 or more for a second incubator. Especially since the SO thinks 1 incubator is too many.

Keeping track of the eggs isn't a problem (I'm a sucker for data,) but I actually don't have any room in the incubator to just add more eggs.

dotknott said:

I actually don't have any room in the incubator to just add more eggs.

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I had that problem in one of my incubators, and I wanted to set more eggs than would fit, so I put a few in my other incubator. I'm really counting on at least a few in the original incubator being clear, because at lockdown, I'll need to move those few extra back in!

It's pretty easy to build a DIY incubator. I made one out of a small Styrofoam cooler we had in our basement and weren't using. You do need to be able to do a little simple wiring, and it is pretty important to have some kind of thermostat. I tried to regulate the heat of the lightbulbs without one for my first hatch, and I couldn't keep it from going all over the place. So I finally spent about $16 and bought an STC1000 from Amazon. It has made all the difference! (Two day shipping with Prime, since I was already in the middle of incubation, and I even fried the first one- don't wire it backwards! So I had to order again. )

You can use almost any kind of container as long as it is leak proof and not a fire hazard and you can figure out a way to attach all the components you will need and make vent holes. Fish tanks, plastic storage tubs, coolers. There are so many ideas here on BYC to copy.

Thank you!