Are You A Brinsea Owner? - April Hatch Along - Prize: Ecoglow Brooder!

[poularde]

I put my 24 eggs into lock-down last night. I have an eco 20. I have a question about space. When I took the rails out and laid the eggs on their side it became very packed in there. I have never had this many eggs go into lock-down. The eggs are tight together in there.

They have no rolling room. Is this going to make it hard for the chicks to hatch? Anyone had a hatch like this?

 

[fifelakelooper]

Quote:
I'm curious to know the answer to that question also! I am assuming that my 24 eggs will be reduced in number after I candle...but if not...I wonder also about room. I have read that some people use egg cartons ...I'd like to know how it goes without using egg cartons.

Question #2 for Brinsea users....the instruction book that came with the Brinsea recommends humidity at 40-50%. What is everyone setting theirs at? First hatch I set mine at 42 and it varied between 40-44 or so. Better to be on low side...rather than towards the 50? I set it up to 65% for hatching. I hatched out 6 out of 8 eggs and the 2 that didn't hatch stopped early on so I guess I did ok. I keep reading of the horror stories of "shrink wrapping" and drown chicks and with a bigger hatch this time...worry a little about the setting. Any input Brinsea users??

 

[Gracie9205]

Quote:
I'm curious to know the answer to that question also! I am assuming that my 24 eggs will be reduced in number after I candle...but if not...I wonder also about room. I have read that some people use egg cartons ...I'd like to know how it goes without using egg cartons.

Question #2 for Brinsea users....the instruction book that came with the Brinsea recommends humidity at 40-50%. What is everyone setting theirs at? First hatch I set mine at 42 and it varied between 40-44 or so. Better to be on low side...rather than towards the 50? I set it up to 65% for hatching. I hatched out 6 out of 8 eggs and the 2 that didn't hatch stopped early on so I guess I did ok. I keep reading of the horror stories of "shrink wrapping" and drown chicks and with a bigger hatch this time...worry a little about the setting. Any input Brinsea users??

I have hatched in egg cartons, and it works really well! I also dry hatch my eggs with great results. I leave my vent completely open for the first 18 days I then fill the 2 reservoirs for lock-down, and close the vent 3/4 of the way. My humidity is usually somewhere between 25-35% for incubation, and around 60-65% for hatching.

 

[poularde]

I have never used cartons in this bator. Would I be able to fit 24 eggs in cartons in my bator? I can not imagine that all fitting.

 

[Gracie9205]

Quote:
I don't know if 24 will fit, but I'm pretty sure a carton that holds 18 eggs would. I think I read on Brinsea's facebook page that someone hatched 22 out of 24 large eggs, so it shouldn't be a problem. They just took removed some of the chicks and eggshells as they hatched to make room. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[daisychick]

Quote:
Yes you can fit it in. You have to cut down the edges of the carton. I also cut out the bottoms of the carton for good airflow. I have done it a lot of times.
Here is a picture of when I did it and cut one corner out so my few quail eggs could fit too.

 

[poularde]

Thanks for the photo. I think I am going to take my eggs out and give that a try.

 

[daisychick]

Quote:
I only did it like this for lockdown when the incubator was off of the turner. I was too scared to try it with the turner on.

e.t.a. Oops I see that you are in lock down now.

 

[poularde]

My eggs went into lock-down just last night. I just put them in the cartons and it fit very well. I feel better about them in the cartons. When they were on their side it was jut way to tight. I was worried abot them not being able to get out of their eggs. I hope this works well.

I have never tried hatching in cartons. I did believe I would be able to fit them in my bator. Thanks again.

 

[fifelakelooper]

OK...I am a worrier. I thought that once you were "lockdowned" it was a huge "no, no" to open it up...??
Also...regarding the carton thing...I thought everything was to be sterile? The only cartons I have...had eggs in them and mine are the foam. Does it matter...foam vs. cardboard? New or Old?
If I have 24 eggs after candling (which I really doubt) then I will have to use the carton too....so this is good info to have.