Lockdown tomorrow 7/5/20! Using cartons~ need advice!

[cher2324]

Hi everyone! I know that this is an old topic, but I am thinking of using cartons to hatch on my Day 18 tomorrow 7/5/20. A few under my broody and rest in an incubator. The eggs in the incubator have been in an upright turner (not on their sides), 1/2 were shipped. Any specifics on cartons and how to do it? Cardboard, plastic, or styrofoam? Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can I ask what the purpose using cartons might be?

I just take out my turner and place the eggs back into the incubator (on their side). Mine has a wire mesh bottom, so I usually put something like a that holey shelf liner over the wire, but it's not necessary.

 

[cher2324]

Thank you for the response. The purpose of the egg carton is to keep the egg in proper position. Some say the chicks can become disoriented on their side, and can roll around. I just wanted to try it this way to see if my hatch rate is better than my previous ones.

 

[bobshere]

I don’t think putting them in a carton is going to put them in a proper position to hatch. I think you would be better off to lay them on their side. The chicks should already be in their proper hatching position. Lay them with the largest part of the air sac facing up.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you for the response. The purpose of the egg carton is to keep the egg in proper position. Some say the chicks can become disoriented on their side, and can roll around. I just wanted to try it this way to see if my hatch rate is better than my previous ones.

Ok. Well try it out and see what happens, I'm sure there's plenty of info on the net about using cartons in an incubator.

 

[Morrigan]

I used egg cartons last year when I was dealing with shipped eggs that had a lot of weirdness going on with the air sacs (detached, saddle shaped). I used cardboard and cut it down so it was as small as possible while still holding the egg securely in an upright position (fat part up). I also cut a hole in the bottom of each cup. I left empty cups between eggs. My goal in cutting it down was to allow air circulation and not impede the hatching.

It worked out perfectly fine and I had a good hatch for those eggs that made it to lockdown. It's hard to say if it made any difference, but it didn't seem to hurt. There was definitely a bit less mess, and no rolling of unhatched eggs in the incubator. I'd probably do it again for shipped eggs with wonky air cells, but wouldn't bother otherwise.

 

[Morrigan]

This isn't a picture of my set-up (it's a picture I find elsewhere on this forum) but it's what used as a model.

 

[MeganlovesJesus]

This isn't a picture of my set-up (it's a picture I find elsewhere on this forum) but it's what used as a model.

View attachment 2228857

This gives me hope I have 18 call cuck eggs up right in cartons but I was told not to turn for seven days