First Staggered Hatch and I Got a Question

[BawGock]

Hi!
I'm setting 14 eggs today and another 12 a week from today.
I have a bator that I will be using for a hatcher.
I'm thinking it might be a good idea to "pre-heat" the batch that I'm setting next week in the hatcher before adding them to group that I set this week.
Is that a good idea or am just I over-thinking this?

Thanks,
Carolyn

 

[LarryPQ]

Huh? You aren't cookin em, right?

If you are waiting to set batch # 2, just leave them at room temp. Did that answer your question?

 

[BawGock]

Definitely do not want to cook my eggs

I was just worried that placing room temps eggs might drop the temp in the bator enough to hurt the eggs that were already in the bator.
See, maybe I am over thinking this

Carolyn

 

[domino7]

I'm going to go with over thinking lol. Good luck.

 

[LarryPQ]

A broody hen will occasionally get off the nest to poo and whatnot. A quick blast of air wont hurt the warm eggies, and it would take a while for the warm eggs to lose core temp.

I stagger hatches all the time, and turn by hand. No issues.

 

[BawGock]

Thanks

I'll stop over thinking then!
Carolyn

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Me too!!! Just do it. I am going to next hatch too.

 

[Kiwibird]

A question for those who stagger hatches frequently - how do you manage the humidity?

I have heard of spraying eggs - would it be wise to spray the eggs due to hatch so that they get more humidity than the others?

 

[OHmamma]

I run a humidifier in my utility room where I keep the eggs as well as a small space heater if it is really cold out. The average room temp is 74* with 32-35% humidity. I have a small box lined with reflective material that I set all my eggs in for 24 hours before hatching. it has a small 40w lamp in it that keeps the box about 80* that I turn on about 4 hours before I set them.

I don't like the long drop when I add a new batch so I do warm them up a little in the box first. My temp/humid only drop 3-4 degrees for about 30-40 minutes compared to not warming them where it used to drop 10+ degrees for 2-3 hours.

Then again maybe I am over thinking it too. but that is what I do!! I can't live with "I should haves"....

 

[Kiwibird]

You know, I would have to run a dehumidifier to get the air that dry. Its usually in the 90s by day and the 50s by night here, or at least over the last few weeks when I have been monitoring it on local weather sites.