egg carton and lockdown question

[micmse]

I will be hatching eggs with my class next week. This will be my third year doing it and was hoping to improve my hatch rates. I have two questions about lock down. I saw that some people are using egg cartons to keep the eggs from rolling around too much and to help with the mess. Are you using the top part of the egg carton and does it matter if it is from a 12 or 18 one? Secondly, if I can't open the lid at all during lock down, how do I add water? Thanks for all of your help!

 

[chickenman17]

I can answer your 2nd question. You are just supposed to add enough water when you go into lockdown to last 3 days. Good luck with your classroom hatch!

 

[panner123]

I think letting them roll around makes it easier for them to zip. But the bottom part of the egg carton does make clean up easier. You add the water though the vent hoke with a straw or use a turkey baster. Anything that will fit though the vent hole will work.

 

[ranchhand]

Cool! Wish we had hatched in school when I was younger!

Depending upon what kind of incubator you use, there are various methods of adding water if needed. I have a Hovabator Genesis and I run airline tubing, the same clear plastic as for fish tanks, through the corner opening and use a big, needleless syringe to add water. I get the tubing at WalMart or any pet store.

It's 50/50 on egg cartons - I use them, but I really pare them down, as shown below. It's the bottom part. I use the pasteboard ones, but you have to be careful they don't get wet.

Happy hatching, it's a great thing for kids to do!

 

[justtoni44]

I use a thin plastic tubing, fleable, and a syring (sp) to add water through the vent hole.
works like a charm....Also using egg cartons
Good luck

 

[kid-n-chickens]

I have seen it posted on here that several people do not do the egg carton thing anymore b/c they had some pip low on the egg and then couldnt get out b/c of the carton. But then there are those that lover it, just something to consider. I use the non skid foam rubber shelf liner to cover the wire. keep them from free rolling its kinda like rolling an egg on carpet vs. with out it is like on a linoleum floor. This also gives the chicks a sturdier/softer surface to walk on. It also makes clean up easier. You might try it. Good Luck... I want you to know that is one of my few memories from elementary school was when we candeled and hatched eggs in Kindergarden. Good Luck!

What humidity are you running? I wasnt having very good hatch rates then changed to running humidity between 40-50% days 1-18 and 60-70% days 18-21. Both vents open.

 

[micmse]

Thanks for all of the help. I was thinking about using the top of the egg carton, but like the liner idea too! I bought two digital thermometers and have them in my genesis incubator. I am currently running about 40-50% without eggs using only the center channel. Last year was my first hatch in the bator and I had problems with the humidity at the end and had several who had very dry membranes. i would like to avoid this if at all possible this year. I was a nervous wreck and had to help two from their shell. My kids are so geared up!

 

[babsbag]

I didn't use egg cartons during lockdown because I was worried about pipping on the small end. (and one did), but I didn't like the eggs getting pushed around all over the place. I had them in cupcake liners, but that was pretty useless, IMO.

Next time I am going to make dividers, like a sock drawer. My plan is that the eggs will stay in one place, yet give the chicks a chance if they pip on the wrong end. I am going to make the dividers low, like may 1/2" high. At least that is my plan right now. I am thinking of buying the plastic dividers for sock drawers and cutting them down. I can just run them through the dishwasher when I am done with them and reuse them. But you could make them out of cardboard as well.

Obviously I haven't tried this, it is just an idea.

 

[Bec]

I used the egg cartons this time and I loved it, so far none out of 31 pipped at the small end, but everyone hatched up and out very good! To add water I stick a straw down through the vent hole and use a medicine dropper to add water. I definitely agree with the shelf liner! I got some at walmart, a decent sized roll for around 4$. I cut it to size and put it under the cartons, cut a little hole in it where my straw comes down. It does give the babies a sturdy foot and catches the leftover mess!

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
I had some pip in the small end before. I just reached in quick and flipped the egg over so the pipped end was up. Then I sprayed some warm water in quick. Hatched out just fine, and the humidity didnt drop.