I have to move an incubator full of eggs! Advice needed...

[clkingtx]

Hello,

I have to move my mom's incubator. It doesn't have a turner, it is a still air hovabator. She can't take care of them for a few days, and can't get anyone nearby that she can trust to turn them. I am going to take it home with me, I live about 15 miles away from her. It is either that, or the eggs will go unturned and unchecked all day tomorrow(they were already unchecked or turned today, but we didn't find out till later) and Sunday; and no telling when next week. They are about day 3 or 4. I think the best thing I can do is put the eggs in styrofoam containers, in an insulated bag, for the trip, then get them in the bator as soon as we get it set back up at my house. I would just take it as is, but would be afraid the eggs would jostle worse, or crack into each other, etc. Or maybe I should take the top off, pack a blanket or towels or washcloths on top of the eggs to keep them still, and take it like that....I don't really know what to do!

Anyone ever have to do this? How would be the best way to handle this? It can't be helped, unfortunately. It will take between 30-45 minutes to get them to my house, depending on how long it takes to pack and unpack the eggs. Please, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Carrie

 

[Mahonri]

First I would go to a radio shack and get an AC adapter for the car cigarette lighter, then you can plug in the bator for the drive. Then, I would warm some towels in the microwave and set them over the eggs in the bator.... not too warm, warm enough to keep them that way and then you can transport.

EVERYONE should have a car AC adapter in case power is lost, the incubators can be moved to a car until power is restored.

 

[clkingtx]

I hadn't thought about getting a plug for the car. We might already have one, I will have to look. This may sound silly, but the heating element won't singe the towels, right? I guess it wouldn't, since it only gets to 100 or less, but just to make sure... I guess the warm towels are to keep the eggs from rolling around, right?

Thanks for that, it sounds like a good plan!

Carrie

 

[Mahonri]

Bingo.

 

[BorderKelpie]

If it helps, I don't see how being disturbed would hurt them that much. Mama would have gotten off of them every once in a while to eat, poop, etc. The only thing I would worry about is the temp of the incubator. I would suggest keeping a very close eye on it in case it needs to be recalibrated.
Good luck with the move!

 

[fl_deb]

Also, have you given much thought to where you will placed the bator at your house?

Keeping in mind, air flow from air conditioning, doors opening and closing, sunlight though windows, and what temp she kept her bator's room at will affect her calibration of temp as well as your new settings.

 

[clkingtx]

I will put the bator in our back bedroom where the other bator is running. It will probably be a bit cooler than where she had it, so I will keep a close eye on the temp. Thanks for the tip!

Hopefully the move won't hurt them. I guess we will see in about 2 1/2 weeks!

Carrie

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Some of you folks make me nervous

Hope they all hatch!!

 

[clkingtx]

Well, the move went well. I wasn't able to get a plug for the bator, but I put a towel on top of the eggs, put the top back on, and off we went. I got them plugged back in as quick as I could. There is a lot veining in those eggs, hopefully they weren't disturbed. I actually saw one baby moving inside an egg! This is day 5 I think. So it seems like it went great! I am very hopeful for these babies. I wish I could see inside the eggs in the other incubator as well as these, but the others are dark dark eggs(marans, or welsummers, or something along those lines).

cindiloohoo: sorry I made you nervous! Believe me, I was pretty nervous, unfortunately the move was required. Thankfully, it went well.

Carrie