Adding eggs to incubator after 4 days?

[SIMZ]

I set some eggs in my Little Giant incubator Saturday night. Today is Wednesday and I was finally able to purchase some Black Copper Marans hatching eggs (WOOHOO!!).

What do you think? Can I go ahead and add them now and just put the whole thing into lock down at the same time?

OR should I get another incubator to use for hatching the earlier eggs when it's time for lock down?

Thanks!

 

[SamJacobbe]

It's probably fine.

Most eggs won't hatch on the hatch date anyways, usually earlier or later. I would put them in right away though.
You can probably get away with putting them in this one, and then moving them to a new one once lock-down starts for the other eggs. That way you don't need to worry about keeping two working for now.

I am actually just building my own incubator and having some problems, so I will need to work out the kinks... But all in all, from what I have incubated during school, vet classes, and other friends houses. Staggered hatches are okay if they eggs aren't put in too much later than the first. Though I do recommend getting another incubator to put them in when hatch day comes for the others, as they might still need turning during those last few days.

I really hope your hatches work. Good Luck!

 

[SIMZ]

Thanks for the reply! I was thinking that I could work out a solution while they're incubating together the next few weeks as well.

 

[SamJacobbe]

It seems to me like that is most logical. I mean, why waste time and the chance of the eggs going bad, when you have weeks to worry about it.

 

[SIMZ]

EXACTLY! I've always used the same approach to hatching and buying more chicks. "Where will we put them? Who knows, but I'm sure we can come up with something in the 3 weeks before they're too big for the brooder!"