Eggs in cardboard egg carton for final hatch

[WVHillbilly]

A friend of mine suggested that I try putting my eggs into a cardboard egg carton for the final stage of hatching. I cut off the top portion of the carton and placed 15 eggs in to hatch. Of the 15 - 12 hatched. I thought this worked pretty well but just wondered what others had to say. Has anyone else ever tried this or is it better to lay them down in the incubator for the final stages. It just seems that when they are laying down, they are more prone to being knocked around by other chicks as they hatch. Thanks for the info.

 

[eggsited chickens]

I put them in egg cartons and glad i did. I had one that I laid on it's side and it was a soccer ball for the others. I had 28/31 hatch

 

[kindir]

Well, granted this was my first hatch so I have nothing to compare it to, but I did use a cardboard egg carton for the final hatch and I'll continue using them. Made cleanup a snap and as the chickes hatched they all just rolled right out. Seemed a lot less stressful than the egg rolling around the incubator.

The only time I had any issues was when there was a chick sitting smack dab on top of an egg that was trying to hatch. poked at the incubator to get her to move and then all was ok!!

 

[Katy]

It's the only way I've hatched for 2+ years now.

 

[jamesrm]

+1 its the only way to go.

 

[esthermgr]

Hmm... I think I'll try it for my next hatch. I've also seen people use those little paper ketchup cups from cafeterias.

 

[Wynette]

I've always hatched in cartons, too. I use a little pen flashlight to catch a chick's attention when it's draped over the top of another egg. They usually will gravitate toward a small light.

 

[Julie08]

do you think it would help avoid drowning issues? I have never done it I guess just because it doesnt look natural, but that be said what part of artifical incubation does look natural. Maybe will try it this time.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Laying on the bottom of an incubator on wire being rolled around by the other chicks isn't natural either.

 

[WVHillbilly]

Glad I posted the question. I think I will stick with the process. It does seem to be easier on the chicks. I did have one little chick though that it's head was in an weird position and it couldn't get moved around to finish breaking open the egg. I left it alone for 24 hours and then finally gave it just enough help to get it's head out and it popped right out.