I suppose youre using a styrofoam bator. In that case DO NOT lift the lid during the hatch, but DO turn the egs 2-3 times a day. Here's how.
Pop out one of the plastic viewing ports and reach you rhand in. Roll the eggs around with your hand gently and then put the window back.
You are not trying to ensure that the chicks are evenly tanned here, so slavish devotion to "this or that side up" is a waste. Dont bother with the "X" and "O" markings you hear about - you only want to keep them moving so the embryos dont stick to the membranes inside the egg. Hand rolling will do this, and is quick.
This was taught to me by a guy who has hatched more eggs than any of us can count, combined.
I also allow a "cooling" period at several stages of the hatch, but we can talk about that later, so dont forget to ask.
Pop out one of the plastic viewing ports and reach you rhand in. Roll the eggs around with your hand gently and then put the window back.
You are not trying to ensure that the chicks are evenly tanned here, so slavish devotion to "this or that side up" is a waste. Dont bother with the "X" and "O" markings you hear about - you only want to keep them moving so the embryos dont stick to the membranes inside the egg. Hand rolling will do this, and is quick.
This was taught to me by a guy who has hatched more eggs than any of us can count, combined.
I also allow a "cooling" period at several stages of the hatch, but we can talk about that later, so dont forget to ask.
Last edited by a moderator: