Carton Method to Hatch...Cardboard or Styrofoam?

[UrbanMama]

I'm working on setting up my bator for hatching and I was planning on using the carton method....so the question is cardboard or styrofoam? I would tend to lean towards cardboard because it's a more natural material, breathable etc. But, if I put them in styrofoam cartons with most of it cut away...would that be okay? My thought was that they styrofoam wouldn't mess with the humidity like the cardboard would.

Thanks all!

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Use cardboard, and cut the bottoms out so the eggs get air.

 

[nhnanna]

i use cardboard with the bottoms cut out. you could warm it in the microwave for a few seconds before using.

 

[MagsC]

Cardboard. I did try styrofoam once with very little success. (Though right now I am doing neither, just laying them on their sides.)

 

[Riocotesei]

If it's only for hatching, I don't think you'll have to cut holes in the bottoms.
Paper/Cardboard is much better to use. I hatched mine in a still air LG and it didn't mess with the hum.
Good luck!

 

[Katy]

I use cardboard and I've never cut holes in the bottom.

 

[hippichick]

Is the styrofoam bad to use? Just asking because I used the egg carton method for the very first time in my last hatch, and I had 5 fully formed chicks who died before pipping? I didn't cut holes in the bottom either.

Paula

 

[Katy]

I don't have a clue if this is right or not, but the reason I use the cardboard is I think it probably "breathes" better than the styrafoam.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
Thats what I do. I spray it with brinsea incubation disinfectant, and then I microwave it for about a min. to kill any germs.

 

[CK Chickadilly]

Quote:
Thats what I do. I spray it with brinsea incubation disinfectant, and then I microwave it for about a min. to kill any germs.

For incubation only, which I am going to do, should I cut holes or not? Maybe just small ones?

So then the styro-foam is not good no matter what?