bantam hatching

[KandiandJerry]

my bantams have generally been hatching on day 18 or 19 when should I put them in lockdown and should I take them out of the turner and lay them in hatcher or leave them in cartons upright

 

[tuesdays chicks]

just wondering if youre using a little giant? but if you believe they might hatch 3 days early I would put them in lock down 3 days early, I think you can do it either way.

 

[KandiandJerry]

No we are using a hovabator 1602N.....

 

[mstricer]

Put them in lockdown on day 18. Unless you see a pip. I've done it both ways and don't like egg cartons, what I have found is if you use the top of the carton you can lay them propped up on the sides at an angle. The mess I'd still contained. I have bantams hatching on the 29th. Good luck.

 

[KandiandJerry]

not really concerned about the mess. just want to get a good hatch. would it be better to lay them on the screen? and what humidity do you use at lockdown?

 

[mstricer]

I usually have it at 65-70%. You can lay them on the wire or you could put paper towels on it to catch the mess. The wire is a pain to clean. What are you hatching?

 

[KandiandJerry]

we are hatching oegb self blues, lemon blues, blue reds, blacks, red pyle, and a few silver seabrights

 

[mstricer]

I'm hatching White Ameraucans and D'uccles

 

[KandiandJerry]

GOOD Luck with your hatch also

 

[AlienChick]

You can put them in lockdown one or two days early. Doesn't hurt at all.
There's even a thread here with info that lockdown on day 16 works best.

Anyway, I have tried the cartons, but really prefer the paper towel on the wire method.
The eggs can't roll around in the cartons and sometimes the chicks are face down in the egg carton and do not turn.