It finally came! My new Incubator is here! Set my eggs tonight. Anyone else?

[Queen of the chickens]

Locked and Loaded! After much debate I decided to hatch in egg cartons. Candled a couple of them and everything was just dark, except for the air sac. I guess that's how it should be but I liked it better when I could see them moving around in there. Humidity is at 64%. Now we wait.. . . and build chicken tractors to make room for these little guys.

 

[Nicolla]

I'm so confused! For lockdown do I leave them in their egg cartons or put them on their sides?

 

[orumpoultry]

It all depends. As long as they stop turning, they'll be okay. They need to settle into hatching mode, and will shift into positions so they need to be still. I haven't candled yet, but she's the only hen in the pen... So I'm in no rush? I seriously need to so I can toss bad eggs...

 

[Queen of the chickens]

I really don't think it matters. I was going to lay them flat, but then I read that earlier hatching chicks can knock the others around. I also thought it might help with some of the mess. But I may end up regretting it. Only time will tell.

 

[orumpoultry]

I've hatched both ways. I think my games have a harder time coming out of their shells, but my layers seem to do better on their sides. It's all opinion in the long run, or how your birds do.

 

[Queen of the chickens]

I have three pips! I may not be able to sleep tonight!

 

[orumpoultry]

I'm incredibly jealous! I need to check on my girl but I'm not sure how we're doing.

 

[Queen of the chickens]

I kn.ow it's kind of hard to see, but look what I have! These two were out of the shells when we got home tonight. We got to watch another one hatch tonight. I have six more that have pipped. Tomorrow is the official day. I hope I have a few more pip overnight.

 

[orumpoultry]

Goodness! I need to tell my hen to hurry up. I could have SWORN I heard peeping from her today, she has been chattering to the eggs alot... May be just a few days out yet.

I kn.ow it's kind of hard to see, but look what I have! These two were out of the shells when we got home tonight. We got to watch another one hatch tonight. I have six more that have pipped. Tomorrow is the official day. I hope I have a few more pip overnight.

 

[jamesaramey]

THAT WOULN'T BE A GOOD IDEA