Incubating shipped eggs upright vs on side

[peepers93]

I'm about to begin incubating my first batch of eggs - I have 18 Cream Legbar eggs due to come in the mail tomorrow, and I'm going to pick up some Silkie eggs from a local breeder. (I don't particularly need the Silkie eggs, but I wanted to see if I had a difference in hatch rate between local eggs vs shipped and Silkies were the only thing near by.)

My question is, I have been doing a lot of reading about incubating shipped eggs, and most of the information I can find seems to say to incubate them large end up. I bought a Hovabator Genesis which came with an Incuturn automatic turner - which requires the eggs to be laying down. Should I just skip using the automatic turner and use an egg carton to keep them upright and turn by hand? Should I wait and see what the air cells look like before deciding? I'll be honest, I'd much prefer to use the automatic turner lol but I will definitely hand turn if it'll improve my chances of getting a good hatch rate.

 

[WVduckchick]

Checking the air cells first is definitely advisable.
You can start them upright in the carton, long enough to stabilize air cells (and most people don't turn them for a couple days anyway) then monitor them and once the air cells are firm, you can lay them down?

Good luck!! And the local eggs with them was a great idea! Will give you a better idea of how things go.

 

[peepers93]

Thank you! That was what I was thinking about doing, but advice from more experienced people is always welcome!

 

[abraga]

I incubated a lot of shipped eggs this year. I carefully unwrapped them. Try not to flip or spin them as I do so and hold them small end down as i unwrap. I place them in an egg carton small end down to rest 24hrs. I incubate in an egg carton small end down and do not turn the eggs for the 1st couple days of incubation. I hand turn them from side to side a few times a day. I have a genisis 1588 but felt the vibration from the egg turner was not good for the shipped eggs. I do not handle the eggs the 1st week of incubation other than hand turning. After about a week I do a quick check on air cells, mark them and toss infertile. It's not unusual to see irregularities with the air cells..like saddles for example. After that I start to track air cell development every couple days, especially the wacky ones. For lockdown I lay the eggs in the regular position, with lowest point of air cell "up". The eggs that have messed up air cells i place in a " up" position to hatch. I've had some eggs with pretty funky air cells still hatch..and I would say above the norm eggs where chicks pip the wrong end. I have had to assist at hatch more with shipped eggs. I incubate at 99.7 dry incubation, but my humidity stayed around 35/45% . At lockdown I raise humidity to 70/75%. I also have a little domed brinsea I set up as my emergency backup for eggs that I need to help out so I can move the egg to a bator for assist without it affecting other eggs during hatch. Eggs get pretty shook up during shipment and loose moisture. I theorize thst keeping them in an upright position may help with messed up air cells as the chicks developes..natural processes..heat..gasses..biological activity..may somewhat correct the messed up air cells somewhat. Gravity pulls the liquid down/air to.

 

[peepers93]

Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely keep it in mind. When you incubate in an egg carton, do you cut the bottom of the cups off? I've seen a few pictures and most seem to be done that way. Just want to make sure I get everything right, lol.

 

[WVduckchick]

Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely keep it in mind. When you incubate in an egg carton, do you cut the bottom of the cups off? I've seen a few pictures and most seem to be done that way. Just want to make sure I get everything right, lol.

Personally, I think it depends on the size of the eggs and the carton. If they fit too snuggly, and the air can't circulate around them, then yes, I'd cut them. If they are loose enough to provide circulation, then you may not need to.

Another thing to consider is maybe rolling a piece of rubber shelf liner, and just leaning the eggs on it. Not totally perpendicular, but up enough to keep the air cells up. Then you can slowly decrease the incline level, until they are down flat. Then add your turner. ??

Just a thought... there are many "theories" and many people will share what works for them, and what doesn't work. Unfortunately, its a bit of a learning process for every individual.

 

[WVduckchick]

One other thing about shipped eggs and weird air cells. When you candle them, you should see the air cell as one single "bubble". It may float and move around some, or it may be totally loose and float all around the egg, or it may even have split from postal handling. Hopefully it will be still be locked to the large end of the egg. But, if it is moving at all, focus on the bubble itself, and circle it with pencil or marker. (I use a Sharpie, no harm from it) Circle the main bubble, and draw a dotted line around any saddles or places where the membrane has pulled away from the inner shell. This will be obvious when/if you see it. The main bubble is you main concern. Some folks look at the whole saddle and think its all air cell, but its not.

 

[abraga]

I use paper cartons..not foam. I have different sizes for the eggs. If you determine ur air cells are okay...i see no reason not to put them on thier side, as it is a " natural" position for them. I will put some eggs on thier side if I think the air cells look good..especially if I have a full bator..but I will still keep eggs w/funky air cells in the carton. WVduckchick is correct..its really personal preference and finding what works for you.

 

[peepers93]

Thank you all for the advice. I'll wait and see what the air cells look like and then decide what to do. I do agree that everyone seems to have their own way of doing things. Hopefully I get it somewhat right lol. And hopefully my eggs will make it here in good condition!

 

[peepers93]

Well, my eggs ended up coming in this morning instead of tomorrow (yay, one less day in the mail). I picked up my Silkie eggs from the breeder this afternoon too. All of my Cream Legbar eggs made it in one piece, plus the seller threw in 2 extra so I have 20. All but 3 have detached air cells, though. Most aren't too bad, but I think I'll definitely be keeping them upright. Keeping my fingers crossed for a decent hatch, because if this goes badly my husband may never let me buy eggs again lol!