Humidity in Bator...EXCELLENT INFO HERE! EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS!

[Buster]

Don't turn anymore after day 18, just leave the incubator closed. In fact, I like to just put the eggs in an egg carton upright to hatch. Good luck.

 

[danielnv]

Quote:
Thanks Buster!

I hope I'm not hijacking this thread, but I have duck eggs in there that will need another week to hatch, since I started them at the same time as the chick eggs. When I take the turner out at day 18, I will have to keep turning the duck eggs until like day 25, correct? Oops, I think I answered my own question: I double-checked the instructions and see that the trays can be removed for cleaning. I assume I can remove some where the carton of chicken eggs needs to sit, and leave some in place for the duck eggs to keep turning? D(O the chicks move out of the carton as they hatch? If so, I would think automatic-moving turner might not be a good thing?)

It surprises me somewhat with all this talk of thinking like a mother hen, that the turners keep the eggs standing up instead of laying down, and you keep them that way in an egg carton for hatching. It makes more sense though, I think, then changing the orientation in the last days before hatch.

Thanks,
Daniel

 

[Suellyn]

Quote:
For the record, this bothered me about hatching, too... On one hand, Momma hen does NOT prop them "big side up", she leaves them on their side. On the OTHER hand, whereas I'm sure her eggs have some "wiggle room" underneath her, they do not get knocked/roll willy-nilly all over the place, conking into each other, as they do when left on their side, unrestrained, in an incubator!

My "middle of the road" solution: cut holes slightly larger than actual egg size in 1/2 inch styrofoam "boards" and let them hatch out in them. Were on side, with SOME wiggle room, but not getting whacked around too badly... worked out well.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
Thanks Buster!

I hope I'm not hijacking this thread, but I have duck eggs in there that will need another week to hatch, since I started them at the same time as the chick eggs. When I take the turner out at day 18, I will have to keep turning the duck eggs until like day 25, correct? Oops, I think I answered my own question: I double-checked the instructions and see that the trays can be removed for cleaning. I assume I can remove some where the carton of chicken eggs needs to sit, and leave some in place for the duck eggs to keep turning? D(O the chicks move out of the carton as they hatch? If so, I would think automatic-moving turner might not be a good thing?)

It surprises me somewhat with all this talk of thinking like a mother hen, that the turners keep the eggs standing up instead of laying down, and you keep them that way in an egg carton for hatching. It makes more sense though, I think, then changing the orientation in the last days before hatch.

Thanks,
Daniel

I think the eggs standing up opposed to the egg lying down probably had it's origin in the large hatcheries.. you can fit more eggs in the same amount of space.
this does not mean much to two dozen eggs, but if you have a 20,000 egg incubator and you can get 5% more eggs in at $2/ea then it becomes a matter of $1000.oo more profit.. per hatch..

 

[crazychicken]

But what if the hatched chicks peck or eat the Styrofoam ?

 

[Buster]

I've never had them peck at the styrofoam or at least it's never been an issue.

I prefer to hatch in a carton because the clean up is easier and it's easier for me to watch who's pipping vs all of them rolling around especially after the chicks start moving around. Nobody has to do it, it's just my preference.

 

[Suellyn]

I have a styrofoam 'BATOR

...

Anyway, they pretty much just flopped around a bit and rested, by the time they had perked up, they were in the brooder, so wasn't an issue for me, either.

And the "on the side in styrofoam" thing was just something that worked for me, is not for everyone. Probably wouldn't be able to do it if you have a large number of eggs to hatch, you wouldn't have room. But I only had 10 eggs, so PLENTY of room in there for that setup..

 

[1Chick Magnet]

getting ready to hatch for the first time and this info is very helpful

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
newly hatched chicks just do not eat,,,,period.... so pecking at the styrofoam is out of the question.

 

[HappyHatch'en]

I'm sorry folks, but this subject is just to important to let it slide...I realize it's long, but I've learned a lot from it, perhaps someone else will too!
BYC Forum....where evreyone starts the race as an EGG!
HappyHatch'en