I'm am not new to hatching however hatching larger quantities of chicks will be a new experience.
Last year I bought an old GQF 1202(?) Incubator and an old GQF Hatcher.
This 1202 hold 60 eggs per shelf and has 3 shelves. 3 x 60 = 180 eggs. My experience with it last year was about a 60% hatch rate of which I was not happy with but so much better than the "little giant" experience.
About a week ago I bought a new GQF 1500 Professional Incubator. I let it run for a few days and then started adding eggs. This incubator will hole 90 eggs per shelf and has 3 auto turning shelves. 3 x 90 = 270 eggs. I read that many people get a 90% hatch rate from these and that what I'm hoping for.
I plan to pull my first tray out of the incubator and move them to the hatcher on March 1st for the first tray to hatch on March 3rd. Then every 3 - 4 days there after I will have a new tray hatching. The hatcher has 5 trays so I shouldn't run out of room even if some are a little late hatching.
If I keep the incubators set through spring I should be able to hatch:
3 trays old incubator yielding 3 x 40 = 120 chicks
Followed the next week by the new incubator 3 x 75 = 225 chicks
Followed by one week with no chicks then the whole cycle repeats
I know I'm kinda "counting my chickens before they hatch" but I very hopeful for a decent amount to hatch regardless. I have the first cycle sold already with people on my waiting list but I'm wondering how others work out handling so many chicks? The large order I already have has agreed to pick up chicks at my house once every week until he has enough chicks. Right now I have bought some very large tubs that I can use, clean, and reuse. Any hints or suggestions? What about selling techniques?
Thanks for any input
Last year I bought an old GQF 1202(?) Incubator and an old GQF Hatcher.
This 1202 hold 60 eggs per shelf and has 3 shelves. 3 x 60 = 180 eggs. My experience with it last year was about a 60% hatch rate of which I was not happy with but so much better than the "little giant" experience.
About a week ago I bought a new GQF 1500 Professional Incubator. I let it run for a few days and then started adding eggs. This incubator will hole 90 eggs per shelf and has 3 auto turning shelves. 3 x 90 = 270 eggs. I read that many people get a 90% hatch rate from these and that what I'm hoping for.
I plan to pull my first tray out of the incubator and move them to the hatcher on March 1st for the first tray to hatch on March 3rd. Then every 3 - 4 days there after I will have a new tray hatching. The hatcher has 5 trays so I shouldn't run out of room even if some are a little late hatching.
If I keep the incubators set through spring I should be able to hatch:
3 trays old incubator yielding 3 x 40 = 120 chicks
Followed the next week by the new incubator 3 x 75 = 225 chicks
Followed by one week with no chicks then the whole cycle repeats
I know I'm kinda "counting my chickens before they hatch" but I very hopeful for a decent amount to hatch regardless. I have the first cycle sold already with people on my waiting list but I'm wondering how others work out handling so many chicks? The large order I already have has agreed to pick up chicks at my house once every week until he has enough chicks. Right now I have bought some very large tubs that I can use, clean, and reuse. Any hints or suggestions? What about selling techniques?
Thanks for any input