Multiple Sets 1 Bator? ? ?

[gardenak]

Hi there- I had this in another post but decided to make it it's own thread:

I was reading all the posts and saw reference to staggard hatch dates and multiple sets- if you aren't supposed to open the bator, how can you get several hatches? After 2 days, the first batch of chicks would have to come out. I was wondering that myself since I have eggs on the counternow ready to go in and another batch on the way (timing is off). I wanted to set eggs tomorrow and again when the others got here.

 

[mrsbeez]

I have the same question. I have some that had a hatch date of Easter and the others, a hatch date of tomorrow. Nothing is going on.

 

[lanietx]

i tried the same thing recently, although it didn't start out that way!
i carefully purchased 3 different sets of hatching eggs. all that looked to be delivered within a day or 2 of each other.
due to seller & shipping delays, the eggs ended up being at least 2+ weeks apart.

that along with ordering too soon in the year (cold weather), along with the opening of the bator to turn made for a horrible hatch!
that was an expensive lesson!
the only way i will combine from now on is with the same seller selling different breeds!

i wondered if there was a way to take part of the trays out of the automatic turner, but i was afraid a chick might get hurt by it.

when the hatch started going bad i researched and that when i learned the importance of CO2 in the hatching process. i even tried to put an open can of cola in the bator to replenish the lost CO2. can't say that it helped at all


best of luck and let us know if you come up with a plan.
oh, if it matters... i have a forced air hovabator w/ auto turner

 

[FortWorthChicks]

I have two sets of eggs in one bator right now.

One is a week ahead of the other. I took a styrofoam box a 25 watt bulb for heat and a dish for water. I am going to make this the hatcher. My husband cut out a square of glass and made a window with the lid so I can see whats happening in there

Testing it out to get the temp and humidity steady today. So far pretty good.... just need some more vents and a wire bottom.... or something to keep the chicks out of the water dish and I will have a very cheap incubator to prevent the second set of eggs from being harmed during lockdown for the first set.

 

[gardenak]

Go to They're all over. . . What do I do" that was the thread I was initially posed the question in. The last post is a good answer.