Need help about adding new eggs to the bator.

[katrinag]

To make a REALLY long story short. I had planned my egg shipments to be here on the same day or with in a day of each other.
I had a lady give me the run around and now the last batch of eggs should be here on Tues. I already have eggs that I put in last week Wed.
I do not have another bator. Will they be ok if I just add them.
I am worried about hatch time. What can I do. Thanks.

 

[Katy]

To have the best results for both sets of eggs you really need to have another incubator to use as a hatcher. There are some who say they can do staggered hatches in only one bator, but I don't like to do that. If you plan on continuing to hatch eggs I'd suggest getting another incubator.

 

[katrinag]

I have a styro cooler that I was thinking of using a heat pad as the source of heat for the ones that will hatch. Do you think that will work? Or should I try to do Miss Prissy(I think) idea instead?

 

[jimnjay]

I have heard of people who have used a heating pad. You should try it first before you have actual eggs to put in there. I am not sure how well you can control the temperature with one but you could also use the table lamp dimmer with it to dial in the heat better. They are available at lowes. You would plug the heating pad into the dimmer and the dimmer into the outlet then there is a slide to increase the light or in your case the heating pad. If you are going to hatch much it is a really good idea to try to have a second hatcher. It does not need to have a fan, better if it does by I have hatched lots of emergency chicks in mine that has not thermostat or fan. You can also get styrofoam boxes free at some places. Walmart has fishing worms delivered in them and the hospitals have lots of medications shipped in different size boxes. If you know anyone who works in a hospital you might ask them if they can get you a few foam boxes.