Filling the incubator

[fatjay]

I have 50 hens and 1 rooster. I'm seperating 10 girls with the rooster. I have a 30 egg incubator, I'm planning on attempting to hatch all 30. But at most I'll be getting 8-10 a day from the 10 birds, should I just leave them in the egg flats until I have 30 and put them in then load them up in the incubator when I have the 30?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Means of collection and storage are important. Make sure the nests are clean. Keep them at a steady temperature. They need to be turned in storage so rather than using flats, perhaps put them in egg cartons and turn the carton several times a day. At least twice. At 8 eggs a day, you'll have enough to fill it in 4 days. That is plenty fresh enough for a good hatch.
How long will the 10 hens be separated with the rooster before collection starts?

 

[Slothinc]

I have 50 hens and 1 rooster. I'm seperating 10 girls with the rooster. I have a 30 egg incubator, I'm planning on attempting to hatch all 30. But at most I'll be getting 8-10 a day from the 10 birds, should I just leave them in the egg flats until I have 30 and put them in then load them up in the incubator when I have the 30?

Yes, since it will only take a few days, just collect and place the eggs in the flats as they are laid. Make sure to put the pointy end down, fat end facing up. In my experience, if only a few days, there has been no need to turn the eggs or anything. But if you want you can tilt the flat in a different direction each day by placing something under one side. Again, I haven’t found this to be necessary. Setting all the eggs in the incubator at the same time will be the easiest way to do it.

 

[fatjay]

Means of collection and storage are important. Make sure the nests are clean. Keep them at a steady temperature. They need to be turned in storage so rather than using flats, perhaps put them in egg cartons and turn the carton several times a day. At least twice. At 8 eggs a day, you'll have enough to fill it in 4 days. That is plenty fresh enough for a good hatch.
How long will the 10 hens be separated with the rooster before collection starts?

Once they're separated I was going to give it a good 2 weeks. I see him doing his thing at random with the 50 girls, but I want to make sure he has enough time to get all 10 to ensure fertilization so I'm not wasting my time incubating blank eggs.

 

[fatjay]

Can I set the incubator to rotate the eggs while not incubating them? SO they get rotated, and then when I get all 30, start the incubation process?

I'm guessing that's up to my incubator.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Sure. If your turner works without heat being on then that will work. I have a couple egg turners. I don't remember the brand, I think Little Giant. It doesn't matter but I use them in a cool space for egg storage prior to incubation.