Low tech incubators - upright or on side?

[fatcatx]

For those that are using a simple incubator with no egg turner, do you prefer incubating upright in cartons or leaving eggs on their side? I've been incubating in styrofoam egg cartons with the bottoms cut out but now I'm wondering if "old-school" would work just as well? Has anyone tried both and had better success with one over the other?

I'm still pretty new to hatching so I'm trying to hurdle the learning curve(s).

 

[AmyLynn2374]

For those that are using a simple incubator with no egg turner, do you prefer incubating upright in cartons or leaving eggs on their side? I've been incubating in styrofoam egg cartons with the bottoms cut out but now I'm wondering if "old-school" would work just as well? Has anyone tried both and had better success with one over the other?

I'm still pretty new to hatching so I'm trying to hurdle the learning curve(s).

When I don't use the turner I lay them down and turn them by hand. When I do use the turner, at lockdown I lay them down. I have never hatched upright. I've been having excellent hatches, so I tend not to fix what "ain't" broken...lol

 

[fatcatx]

When I don't use the turner I lay them down and turn them by hand. When I do use the turner, at lockdown I lay them down. I have never hatched upright. I've been having excellent hatches, so I tend not to fix what "ain't" broken...lol

Thanks AmyLynn. I lay them down at lockdown as well. Does the turner give you better hatch rates than laying them down? I'm just wondering if I get any benefit fussing with the cartons. If laying them down would get me similar results, then I might not bother with the cartons.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Thanks AmyLynn. I lay them down at lockdown as well. Does the turner give you better hatch rates than laying them down? I'm just wondering if I get any benefit fussing with the cartons. If laying them down would get me similar results, then I might not bother with the cartons.

I don't think there is any difference. The hatch before this one I had 16 go into lockdown and 13 hatch-only 3 did not. I had them in the turner up until lockdown. My last hatch I had a full turner, so I decided to remove it and turn by hand because the turner motors give off a lot of heat. With smaller hatches I can keep the eggs back away from the motor, but with a full turner that placed three too close. I hand turned them either 3 or 5 times a day. I had 36 go into lockdown and 33 hatch-only 3 did not...lol As long as they are being turned-either way is sufficient.

 

[sonjab314]

Ive done both but I typically lay down the eggs during lockdown. Ive had about the same results both ways

 

[fatcatx]

I don't think there is any difference. ...As long as they are being turned-either way is sufficient.

Originally Posted by sonjab314
Hmmmm... interesting. I thought there would be more of a difference/preference. I'll see how this hatch goes and maybe next one I'll do 50/50 as an experiment or lay them all down. I do have to move the 'bator around a bit so the cartons at least hold the eggs still. Now I'm looking forward to experimenting a bit!