Lockdown help!! 20+ eggs

[bigspringshatchery]

I have some lav orp and splash marans going into lockdown Thursday. There prolly is 20+ eggs. I was planning on using my other bator but bought more eggs. Got 35 on it. What's the best hatching method for this many in a hovabator? I've never had this many harsh at the same tine in one bator usually use 2. Last time I tried like 15 about 3-4 eggs got hit and rolled over and killed my chicks. But since I have so much in these I would rather that not happen. So I thought of a couple ways I think I've read about on here and need sone feedback.

1. Laying them on their sides and just pray

2. Use an egg carton and put big end up or also could use a egg flat

Any info would be great

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I use a paper egg carton with the top cut off and holes cut in the bottoms. I stand the eggs up in it and the chicks hatch and walk around the cartons and often get into one of the empty egg slots to sit and sleep. I like to use either a dz or 18 ct cartons so the chicks can walk around as they are drying off. Once dry I reach in and move them to an aquarium until hatch is complete and then they go down to the brooder room at the barn.

I never do lock down. I open my hatcher every day, sometimes 2-3 times a day. I take eggs shells out of the cartons as they become available so I can write down what chick hatched and what color it is.
I usually hatch 30-60 at a time and almost every week.

 

[aceschix]

I LOVE hatching in egg cartons. I use the cardboard ones...not styro. I can hatch a lot more eggs than you are worried about

in my Hovabator.

Just cut them down to half the regular height and make a hole the size of a dime in the bottom of each egg cup. I put them small side down on day 18 and I have only had one malpositioned chick in 2 1/2 years of doing it this way. These are only my suggestions based on my hatching experience.

Best of luck to you. I hope it helps.

 

[Inkheart]

Doesnt the cardboard carton soak up some of the needed humidity in lockdown?

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Chicks hatching on wire does not affect unhatched eggs when they are knocked around. If anything the peeping and vibrations from rolling around help the yet unhatched to hatch. If unhatched chicks do not hatch it's usually because of being too weak to pip the membrane and shell of the egg.

I hatch on wire, always have and no problems what so ever if your temps and humidity levels have been stable.

 

[GreenGoddess]

LOL... If you think YOU have a problem... You should see my bator!! I think I went a little overboard on this one... I have a Hova Bator and have about 70 eggs in it!! Most of them are in cartons and others are laying on their sides BETWEEN other eggs...

I am doing a staggered hatch so I have 14 due to hatch on Feb 20th (although I think 2 are clear) and the rest 8 days later!!

... I plan on keeping the egg cartons in there and just letting them walk on the eggs/cartons since that's what my last hatch did anyway eventhough there was plenty of walking space available for them....

I wouldn't worry too much about how many you have in there as long as they can move around and the other eggs don't hinder their hatching ability... Commercial hatcheries many times have them in egg holders (their version on "cartons")and have no problems...

Goddess

 

[bigspringshatchery]

So i might give the egg cartons a try. But I don't have any cardboard ones. Will the cardboard egg flats work too or do I need to run to ts to get some. And what's the purpose of the hole on the bottom?

Yes i know how you feel. I have 41 eggs on one bator and 33 on my other. I think 23 due this Friday, 18 due next Friday, and 33 due the next.

 

[GreenGoddess]

The flats are just big cartons so hey will work fine.. I wish I could get hold of a flat instead of using several cartons... I have cardboard, styrofoam and plastic cartons in there... LOL Just make sure you put a hole in it somewhere or keep one spot open so you can add water for humidity...

Goddess