Can you over fill an incubator?

[SarahFair]

I have an LG incubator that is still air and hand turned. While my SO offered to buy me the turner I had to decline... I couldnt get as many eggs in there!

Currently I have 66 eggs in my LG. 36 Guineas, 12 Americana, 18 of my own.
I set the Guineas last monday and set the chickens last night. I figured in about a week I could find the 'duds' and over time weed out the ones that just dont develop and have more room.


So, is that too many?

 

[LarryPQ]

I think as long as you can keep the temps stable, you should be fine. Each egg should act as a "heat sink" so fluctuations may not happen as often as they would with just a few eggs in there. Plus if you are turning them by hand, you buy yourself a little more time when you open the bator. The warm eggs will help return the bator temps to the right spot.

 

[Freckle Face Farm]

not if they fit

my DH bought his first yesterday and put in cardboard egg trays any is rocking the whole bator back and fourth..He has 60 eggs in.. Should be interesting to see his hatch rate...

 

[Illia]

I think that is.

But I'm not sure - I've never done an LG hatch without a turner, so Ï don't know for sure - Just as long as you see room in there for the eggs to "breath" they're fine.

Curious, are your "Americana" eggs true Ameraucanas or Easter Eggers?

As for room, I have two incubators - But one is MUCH better than my unreliable LG, so what I do is put my extras in the LG, then when all my quitters are culled out of the better incubator, I stuff any of the best eggs from the LG back into the good incubator before lockdown.

 

[SarahFair]

Quote:
The guy I got them from is pretty knowledgeable about chickens and he said they were *Ameraucana* (excuse me

) but I didnt ask if they were EEs either...
Can you tell just by the eggs?


Ive had my LG for a year and have hatched a good many out with no real problems other than self mistakes.

 

[Illia]

Quote:
The guy I got them from is pretty knowledgeable about chickens and he said they were *Ameraucana* (excuse me

) but I didnt ask if they were EEs either...
Can you tell just by the eggs?


Ive had my LG for a year and have hatched a good many out with no real problems other than self mistakes.

In a lot of cases, yes, you can tell by the eggs.

Another thing is, Ameraucanas are rather hard to find - It kinda takes looking specifically and knowing how to avoid Easter Egger sellers. Of course, if you just want colorful eggs, it really doesn't matter though - It's just false advertising by the seller. You still get colorful eggs.

 

[SarahFair]

Well I have blue eggs that were $3 a dozen some Im guessing they are Americanas/EEs

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Quote:
Hi! That's a rhetorical question, isn't it?
Did you see these?
LG #1

LG #2

LG#3

Tom surprised me last week with new turners for those three incubators. We took 'em back.

Good luck with your hatch!

Lisa

 

[SarahFair]

Quote:
Hi! That's a rhetorical question, isn't it?
Did you see these?
LG #1
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/17_41210_001.jpg
LG #2
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/17_41210_002.jpg
LG#3
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/17_41210_003.jpg

Tom surprised me last week with new turners for those three incubators. We took 'em back.

Good luck with your hatch!

Lisa

Yours looks like mine!

 

[Julie08]

That is a LOT of eggs!!! I have only 42 in mine with the turner........... I'm so done with hand turning!