I found a incubator at a yard sale. The woman said it had been used 1X and seems to have all of the parts. It does not have an egg turner but I am wondering about the idea of hatching in a carton. If I used a egg carton, could I simply turn the carton over daily? How many days should I incubate the eggs? Any books that I should read before hand? Thanks so much Amanda
https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-hatch.html You don't turn the egg cartons over when you use a carton, you tilt the carton from side to side 3 times a day using something to tilt the carton. You need to read in the Learning Center How to incubate eggs, it takes 21 days.
There is a WEALTH of information on this website for incubating eggs. I am incubating eggs right now in a carton, but you need to keep the larger end of the egg upright (the air sac is in this part of the egg), especially on the last 3 days. There is an air sac there that the chicks pip to get their first breath of air. If the small end is up, the chicks could end up drowning. The eggs need to incubate anywhere from 21-23, 24 days, depending on your temps. Also, you need to make sure you have the correct humidity. It is a science! Check out all of the information on BYC, and play around with your incubator a few days to make sure you are familiar with setting the temperature. I have a Little Giant, which is IMO a starter incubator. Good luck, and have fun!
I agree, you do need to do a little more research.. You use only the egg holder portion of the carton.. cut the lid off.. I also cut away most of the bottom section of the egg cup and cut the tops off those little castles between the eggs.. I leave barely enough of the carton to hold the eggs.. You can tilt the whole incubator rather than opening it to tilt the cartons.. when I get time, I am going to build a semi automatic turner for the hova and LG.. I have it designed, already, just lacking time to build the first one..
