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Hatching in automatic turners?

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by hinkjc, Feb 7, 2009.

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  1. Feb 7, 2009 #1
    hinkjc

    hinkjc Overrun With Chickens Premium Member

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    I have to ask because I've seen several pictures posted now of chicks hatching in automatic egg turners and am wondering why people are hatching their eggs like this. It concerns me as these are electronic devices first of all and even if turned off the chicks legs can get stuck in between the turner cups and injure them. The egg turners are also slippery, so if the chick manages to walk around on it ok, they are at increased risk of slipped tendons and spraddle leg. Chicks are not real agile when they first hatch and it is best to have them on a flat surface so they can learn to use their legs correctly. I'm curious why folks are using this method to hatch and if anyone has experienced trauma to their chicks because of it.
     
  3. Feb 7, 2009 #2
    BirdBoy88

    BirdBoy88 Angel Egg

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    I don't hatch mine in the turner while it's on or even together.. my old auto turner i took the trays out and i use the trays to let the eggs hatch in instead of a paper carton

    it saves from having to buy a carton and it works better than a carton and i see it as recycling [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
  5. Feb 7, 2009 #3
    conny63malies

    conny63malies Overrun With Chickens

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    I hatch mine in egg cartons. When i remove the turner i first put in a cut to size non stick shelf liner and then the carton with the eggs.
    And since i know myself and the kiddos i usually tape the bator shut.
     
  7. Feb 7, 2009 #4
    Katy

    Katy Flock Mistress

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    I questioned someone about why they were doing that exact same thing today. I wouldn't think it would be very easy for the chicks when they first hatched....not to mention them getting pinned between the slats. I think it would be terribly hard for them to get their feet under them.
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2009
  9. Feb 7, 2009 #5
    Buster

    Buster Back to Work

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    I take the turner out but for the last two hatches I've taken the egg tray out of the Sportsman and set it directly into the HB 1588. It worked out well in there. It doesn't have any moving parts or slick surfaces. The only problem I had was one weak chick got upside down in the egg slot and died. It may have died anyway. The other 31 chicks were just fine. I'm trying it this way again for this hatch. I'll keep you posted. The only reason I did it this way was because I didn't think I could get enough egg cartons to fit in there for the amount of eggs I had.
     
  11. Feb 7, 2009 #6
    EweSheep

    EweSheep Flock Mistress

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    I've did that once and that lucky chick didnt get caught up in it. Never again!

    I use paper pulp egg cartons for hatching, works well for me. Syrofoams works too!

    Just remind yourself two to three days from their expected hatch dates, take the eggs out of the turners.
     
  13. Feb 7, 2009 #7
    hinkjc

    hinkjc Overrun With Chickens Premium Member

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    Thanks for the posts on this. It don't think the egg flats/cartons are as dangerous as the actual full turning tray with slats that tilt. I worry that casualties will increase if folks new to hatching see those pics and think they should be hatching this way. I keep picturing a poor little chick with its head or leg stuck in there for hours on end. That would be horrible. Personally, I don't find the need to put the eggs in anything and just lay my eggs down on the wire and typically have terrific hatches. Hopefully others are reading this and taking this into consideration when they hatch.
     
  15. Feb 7, 2009 #8
    Katy

    Katy Flock Mistress

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    Quote:I do put mine in cartons to hatch, but I'd never leave them in the turner.
     
  17. Feb 7, 2009 #9
    sara

    sara Title Needed Here

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    Quote:Me too. I was skeptical at first, but I have better hatches putting them in the cartons.
     
  19. Feb 7, 2009 #10
    lockedhearts

    lockedhearts It's All About Chicken Math

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    I had a bantam "accidently " hatch in the turner, he was early Day 18, I was planning on moving the eggs that evening, came in from outside and the booger had his head popped up out of the egg cheeping like crazy!

    But I would never do it intentionally. I tried the carton method once, was not impressed so now they just go flat on the shelf liner in the hatcher.
     
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