Can I put egg cartons in incubator?

[lazy gardener]

I have not dealt with detached air cells. I've had some saddle cells, and I've laid them down. When they go into lock down, I mark the air cells, taking note of any draw downs, and place them with the draw down facing up.

 

[lazy gardener]

There should be a section in "hatching eggs 101 dealing with detached air cells. Sunshine Sally has extensive experience with shipped eggs.

 

[GlennLee]

Yes, you are right. Any way to facilitate that? And it probably shouldn't be buried in "Can I put egg cartons in the incubator?"

There really isn't much information on line and there are some significant variations in what is posted. Yet I have to think with all the people now buying shipped eggs, there is a need for this information to be available on BYC.

It would also be good for us to keep track of what really works vs. what we just keep doing, if we can. I'd be happy to share what I've experienced so far. I'm not an expert, but I keep meticulous records and that should help.

I'll be candling again this weekend - day 15 and will cull eggs and stop rotating on day 16. I think you mentioned you stopped on 14. I also may keep them upright for the hatch. Will probably have to be ready to assist. My husband joked about buying me a set of scrubs!

Love that you made your own incubator. I have 3 going now, two awaiting eggs and am playing with a new design to see if I like more automation. Started with no fan, no automatic turner, but like to try different options as a comparison.

Thanks for jumping in here and sharing. Always like to learn. Have a great day!

 

[007Sean]

Every since getting away from still air bators, manual turn(had old galvanized, round Brower bator), built several DIY knock-off GQF bators. I have always incubated the eggs up right. Haven't notice any difficulties for the chicks to hatch other than "normal" hatching problems that arise from time to time.
When hatching some quail eggs, I found it necessary to cut a ring out of the paper egg cartons that they where shipped in, this I put around the egg to hold it in the turner (button quail eggs don't fit right even in quail rails). I believe when hatching the eggs up right instead of laying them horizontal, the chicks don't struggle as much to zip due to the fact that the shell isn't rolling with each twist/turn in the zipping process, in other words the chick can turn easier in the shell without having the shell also turn. Idk, just a theory I have from countless observations.

 

[GlennLee]

@007Sean thank you for sharing your experiences. Given my situation, I am inclined to hatch upright based on what you have said here. Appreciate you taking the time to respond.

 

[GlennLee]

Update - I am at day 16 with 12 eggs - two are on their sides and have been that way the entire time - no problems. Ten had detached air cells and four of those are also saddled - VERY poor shipping on the part of USPS! They have been incubating in an upright slightly angled position with gentle quarter turns 3x's per day.

The good news is, after candling yesterday, I have a total of 8 with attached or reattached air cells and I am seeing movement in at least 8 of the eggs, including some with air cells still detached. My plan is to keep those with detached air cells upright in the cardboard carton for hatching and set the other ones down.

Now I'm reading up on how to assist if necessary. This is my first time hatching eggs that have been shipped and it's been a steep learning curve. Fingers crossed and hoping for the best as we near lockdown. The proof will be in the hatch rate.

 

[Chris240]

I'm on day 21 of my first attempt at incubating. Homemade incubator and eggs in a styrofoam egg carton.

5 out of 8 hatched on day 20. Chicks had no trouble getting out of the carton.

 

[NewDuckMama4]

yeah, I was sad. All that time of being super careful with those crazy air cells just to lose them to cartons. The 2 that hatched were ones that I moved to their sides when I just happened to check them.

Whenever I use an egg carton in my incubator...(with shipped & not shipped)
I always remove the carton at lockdown and just kind of prop them up on their sides ..... Since I know that incubating shipped eggs upright is recommended this might help next time......