Frequency of Putting Eggs in Incubator

[broberts]

Good evening. I was wondering if everyone put eggs into the incubator as they got them or if everyone accumulated eggs for a few days and then put bigger batches into the incubator? My birds started off slowly so I put them in as I got them, but now I am getting about a dozen per day and was wondering if it would make more sense to incubate them less frequently in bigger batches. I can see where the advantage to doing bigger batches with less frequency would be that the incubator doesn't get opened as often therefore keeping a more consistent temp. Just wondering opinions or if it really mattered which way would be best.



Thanks in advance,


Brian

 

[Whitehouse Quail]

I put all mine in after saving for exactly one week. All eggs go on the turner before they go in. This also makes it easier, so every Sunday I remove a turner somewhere, and every Wednesday a new batch hatches out.

Hope this helps!

(Note: Hatchability declines a lot after the first 7-10 days. I tend to err on the side of caution.

)

 

[joe125]

I save mine up until I get the maximum number I can logically hatch and care for, or for 7 days....which ever comes first. I'm usually done long before 7 days, but that's just ME

 

[broberts]

I think I might start doing that. It sounds like it would be a lot easier than the constant moving of eggs. Of course, I was only getting 2 or 3 per day early on and now I am getting well over 10. Still not enough eggs to fill it up (at least not yet).

Thanks for your replies.

Brian

 

[Ridgerunner]

The issue with putting them in as you go is what do you do for lockdown? You need to quit turning them, raise the humidity, and leave the incubator closed during lockdown. But the eggs not ready for lockdown need lower humidity and need to be turned.

Many people solve this by having a separate incubator used only as a hatcher. If you set eggs once a week, this works great. You solve your humidity/turning problems and get a chance to clean out the hatcher after a hatch. Otherwise, the incubator can get pretty filthy which can eventually lead to bacteria build-up and bacteria infected eggs.

 

[Whiskey Bay]

Quote:
This is how I do it.I currently have 2 cabinet bators and 1 cabinet hatcher with 6 trays.My eggs are collect for 7-10 days (turning them each day).That way I have a better number at one point. I usually have 2 trays set to go into hatcher at a time a few days apart,so I have plenty of spacing room for them to hatch and stretch.I don't crowd my eggs in the hatcher.