do I leave them on the wire?

[Cornychick]

My hatch is going into lockdown wednesday night. I have used an automatic turner and am thinking about using an egg carton during the hatch. It seems like others have had good luck with thier chicks not drowning that way. If do use this method, when would I take them out of thier shell they have zipped? Also, do you leave them on the wire or put down paper towls for them to grip?

 

[The Sheriff]

The best thing to do is to buy a roll of that cushy shelf paper with holes in it and cut a piece to fit the bottom of the incubator. Makes cleanup really easy and still allows good air flow. Good luck!

 

[farmin'chick]

I usually use the textured shelf liner that looks like it's woven. I'm not an egg carton hatcher, so I can't answer that question for you. I had one hatch in the turner, and he hopped right out by himself... I don't think you're supposed to open the incubator unless you have to for at least 24 to 48 hours after your first one hatches -- you lose humidity which may affect the rest of your hatch.

 

[flgardengirl]

How about parchment paper? There is some that comes on a roll. It is porous and I use it to steam tamales in sometimes. Would that work? The water vapor could get through but not the big stuff.

 

[Cornychick]

farmin'chick :

I usually use the textured shelf liner that looks like it's woven. I'm not an egg carton hatcher, so I can't answer that question for you. I had one hatch in the turner, and he hopped right out by himself... I don't think you're supposed to open the incubator unless you have to for at least 24 to 48 hours after your first one hatches -- you lose humidity which may affect the rest of your hatch.

Did you leave your turner in for the whole lockdown period?​

 

[The Sheriff]

I personally wouldn't use parchment paper but it's your call. You need air circulation during the hatch utilizing the holes in the bottom of the incubator as well as moisture from the wells. The turner i is removed for lockdown. Good luck.

 

[Cornychick]

Quote:
I had a roll of that somewhere. Two moves ago I think. Now where did I put that stuff.....

 

[farmin'chick]

No, the turner comes out at lockdown. I had an early hatcher. Parchment paper would be too slippery.

 

[MuranoFarms]

Ahhhh! I was doing paper towels. I'll switch to shelf liner before I lockdown the next batch tonight!

 

[flgardengirl]

Oh yeah I didnt think about it being slippery. I will look for the shelf liner when the time comes. Can that be disinfected and reused?