egg carton method drawbacks?

[Farmer Kitty]

I have one in this hatch that is at the wrong end.

Does anyone know if this one would make it in the egg carton?

 

[silkiechicken]

Biggest issue I see with carton hatching is if the chicks hatched breeched, they'd probably pip and drown because their beak would be at the bottom rather than at the top, since you'd be putting the eggs in the carton big side up on day 18 before any pipping happens. I just lay on side in slats so they can't roll too far. Kind of like kitchen drawer dividers that keeps things separate.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

That is what I'm afraid would have happened to this little one if it had been in the carton.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I think the carton method would probably work best if you keep them upright in the carton during incubation and just tilt the carton 45 degrees side to side. Then, when you stop turning the cartons you just put them flat. I would think that it would be less chance for the chick to get into a breech position.

 

[revelu]

would that work for the hatcher? kitchen drawer dividers, if they are mesh type and not solid? it would keep the chicks from rolling other eggs around, and would let air circulate-- hmm, have to find some now, if anyone makes such a thing-- maybe a plastic egg-crate type material? I know what I mean, just can't describe it right now, I am getting old, you know!!

Victoria in Michigan

 

[revelu]

just checked my kitchen silverware drawer-- the silverware thing is blue plastic, low sides and plastic mesh bottom, by gum I'm going to try it on Monday when my Silkie eggs go in the hatcher!

 

[goatkeepers]

Sounds like a good idea!!

I'm divided now on if I should leave my 9 in an egg carton or lay them on their sides when they are about to hatch. I was gonna do egg carton but now I'm thinking sides may be better.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Another thing I thought about using was a piece of egg-crate foam. You could put the eggs sideways or pointed end down I think.

 

[revelu]

if they were hatching in a nest wouldn't most of them be on their sides? Must be a good reason for that--

 

[klf73]

My first hatch was my most successful, when I was ignorant and didn't know any tricks

. So I think I am going back to that way and see if this next batch is any better. My first was a basic homemade bator that I found somewhere online before I found BYC. Before I added wire shelves and different water containers. Back to the good old days

Which was really only 9 weeks ago

. So this next hatch will dictate how the hatches after it are done. No carton for me this time, maybe cuz my last ones were bantys, no idea, but it just didn't work for me.
Krista