11th Annual Easter Hatch a Long 2020

[casportpony]

Oh, good idea! I'll play around with that and see what I come up with.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Is this considered shelf liner? I just never realized what messy business hatching was until my first hatch last month so I want to eliminate having to clean through the net floor that came with the incubator. Or does the shelf liner have to have holes for ventilation and stuff?
View attachment 2077716

I use the shelf liner with grip and holes.

 

[AgnesGray]

Is this considered shelf liner? I just never realized what messy business hatching was until my first hatch last month so I want to eliminate having to clean through the net floor that came with the incubator. Or does the shelf liner have to have holes for ventilation and stuff?
View attachment 2077716

My only worry about this would be if it's slippery. I am probably overly cautious, but worry about splayed leg.

 

[Phillisy]

I love Celadon quail eggs! I'm planning to hatch some eventually this year.

They are gorgeous! Have you had any before?
I lucked out and found someone somewhat local who has been working on upping their percentage of offspring that lay blue, and has them around 50-60% right now, so I’m getting a couple dozen eggs and hoping I end up with a reasonable amount of blue layers to start with. If not, theoretically they all will carry the ce gene, so I’ll be able to occupy myself this summer by working on them. I’m excited!

 

[CindyinSD]

Looking ahead to lockdown, I have some questions about the Incuview incubator...

The incubator manual says to leave the turning tray in for hatching. Is it better to leave it in or take it out?

Do I leave the vent open, or close it during lockdown?

I read on a BYC thread to put shelf liner in the bottom of the incubator for hatching. Has anyone tried this? Is it a good idea?

Thanks for the help!

I use the nubbly, rubbery shelf paper and, while you CAN take out the turner, you wouldn't have to. I think it would be hard to use the shelf paper if you didn't, though. If you leave the turner in, the babies won't be able to knock the unhatched eggs around as much. I don't think that hurts the unhatched and may spur them on to try harder, but some folks are bothered by it and maybe they're right. Just as likely them right as me.

People do use paper towels. The Incuview (as you're aware) uses plastic embroidery canvas as its floor. I don't know whether that's much more slippery than paper towels or not. I don't see any reason to take a chance. I like the shelf liner because it seems like it would provide a good surface and also, it's easy to rinse off. Once the hatch is done I put the incubator parts (minus the top of course) and the well-rinsed shelf liner on the top shelf of my dishwasher and wash with detergent on the gentle cycle, no dry, in case the heat would be too much.

Oh yes... be very careful of the turner arm once you take out the turner tray. It could crack eggs that roll into the wrong place.

 

[aliciaplus3]

wow this thread is really moving! I use the rubber shelf liner myself... just to feel a little more in control and to help with clean up. I had a batch a chicks due yesterday but they still have not come out!! huh incubator must have run a little low>>>?????

 

[CindyinSD]

Thanks, I’ll probably make my own holes on that one since I’ve had it for ages and might as well put it to use somehow. But in the future I’ll look into the one you mentioned.

Just make sure it's not slick when dewy. It looks shiny in the photo...

 

[kelseyk]

I definitely learned something new today! I am going to have to go see if I can find my leftover shelf liner and get it ready to use in the incubator. I hope it helps eliminate the leg and toe problems I have gotten with my last hatches!

 

[casportpony]

I use the shelf liner with grip and holes.

A hatching must have for me!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

They are gorgeous! Have you had any before?
I lucked out and found someone somewhat local who has been working on upping their percentage of offspring that lay blue, and has them around 50-60% right now, so I’m getting a couple dozen eggs and hoping I end up with a reasonable amount of blue layers to start with. If not, theoretically they all will carry the ce gene, so I’ll be able to occupy myself this summer by working on them. I’m excited!

I haven't yet but I've been eyeing those beauties for a while now. I believe I will be ordering them from a breeder on the west coast even though it's further shipping he supposedly has very stable blue egg genetics.