Hatch In Incubator Or Build Hatching Box???

[chayton]

Please forgive my lack of knowledge but this is our first time to try raising chickens from eggs to coop.
I have my eggs in the incubator and with the helpful advice from several experts on this site I can say everything is going really well, BUT I have another question.

My incubator is loaded with 27 eggs and I'm not sure what will happen when they start to hatch, it seems like the incubator will be really crowded.
SO, should I build another incubator more compatable for the chicks to hatch in? (larger area and a tub in it for the chicks to have room plus easier to clean when its all over. I could move the eggs over to the bigger device once the chicks start making an attempt to break through the eggs.

If I'm makin this harder than I need to I'm ok with you telling me that too.

 

[retiredwithchicks]

What kind of incubator do you have? If they fit now they should fit for a couple days when hatched .

 

[chayton]

home made, dimensions 16 deep x 22 wide 15 tall

I have room for another 20 eggs but it sure doesnt look big enough for 20 chicks

 

[KDbeads]

Sounds more than big enough for the few days they'll be in there. Mine's only 14 x 20 x 12 and I have it crammed full with 55 eggs. Not thinking about building a hatcher at the moment.

 

[mulia24]

honestly pics will much helpful since i don't know deep wide and tall measurement because i think you'll use feet or other than centimeter and meter.

 

[Whitehouse Quail]

What you can do is put egg cartons with the lids snipped off and holes in the bottom of the egg cups in there instead of the turner. This will make it so they can hatch easily, quickly, stronger and more cleanly than any other way, and in less space than ever thought possible.

PS. Leave about 2 empty egg cups in each tray so that the newly hatched can rest. This brought up my hatchrate tremendously and reduced injuries and cleanup

 

[Shiningfeather]

Quote:
You don't want to open the incubator and move the chicks once they have pipped the shells. You could shrink wrap the babies and they will not be able to hatch. Just put in a carton as mentioned or leave they laying in the bottom on the wire floor till hatch is over, then you can open the incubator and get your babies. Good luck on your hatch, I have 31 in my incubator right now and are due on the 23rd of Nov.