Hatching in a Brinsea Eco 20 first time

[Texasmja]

This is my first time hatching. I have read the papers the manufacture sent with the unit and made notes. I have some additional questions that are not covered in the manufactures instructions.

1. If you are not hatching a full load how is the best way to set the eggs up, ex:all in one row, staggered, spread out...?
2. Does the vent stay open 1/2 way for the first 18 days just like a full load?
3. Will the temp and humidity be off in the unit because it is not a full load? What if I only set/hatch 6 instead of 24?

Many thanks to everyone in advance for your help,
Melissa Ahlers

 

[Texasmja]

I emailed the manufacture through Facebook and this is the reply I received. I am posting in case anyone else may have the same questions.


Brinsea Products Inc.

• Hi Melissa. It's not a problem at all if the incubator is not full. In answer to your questions:
  1. You can place the eggs whichever way you like so long as the weight is evenly distributed in the incubator. Since the incubator is not full I would personally place them lying on their sides, a couple of rows in the middle of the incubator.
  2. You will need to close it a little more than that. Between 1/3 and 1/4. 6 eggs don't need as much fresh air as 24 but they don't raise the humidity as high either.
  3. Temperature is not a problem, it will autoregulate and humidity should be fine with the adjustments above. When you first set the eggs in the incubator the temperature will drop and could take 12 hours or so to get back up to 99.5. This is normal it takes a while for the eggs to warm up right through and for the incubator to settle at incubating temperature.
  Don't hesitate if you have more questions.