How to hatch in in cartons with the sides cut?

[dsowens15]

How do you hatch in cartons? Pictures will be great help. I need the best hatch rates I can get with my homemade bator.
Thanks for any and all help.

 

[SweetMotherOfMars]

I cut the hinged top off the carton, then cut holes in each egg cup so that air can circulate.
I don't currently have a photo of our setup, but this time we used one of the big flats.

 

[Noncentzter]

I just hatched, in two batches, 28 chicks and I used the egg flats and didn't cut any holes in'em. The first batch I laid the eggs on their sides. The second batch I sat them up. Wasn't a problem for the chicks in either batch.

 

[SweetMotherOfMars]

I'm pleased to hear there was no difference depending on orientation. Always wondered.

 

[kipper]

I cut the lid off, the bottoms of each cup out, and cut the rows into two "L" shapes (2 cups by 5 cups). I set them up along the perimeter of my incubator so there is a "dance floor" in the center and chicks don't have to climb over anything to get out of the carton. I have my eggs upright and it seems to work very well.

And yes, I like to do things in the most odd and complicated way possible!

 

[SweetMotherOfMars]

I love the dance floor idea!

 

[cluckcluckcharlie]

What is the purpose of using the carton? I saw it SOMEWHERE on here but cant find it now.

 

[SweetMotherOfMars]

Early on it helps keep the air cell to the top (wide end), but during hatching I like it because it makes it harder for the other chicks to play futbol with their sisters.

 

[cluckcluckcharlie]

I was pretty sure that's what the reason was. Should have done it with my first hatch, but I'm gonna give it a try on the next one