newbie hatcher here... do you add eggs after

[chicky gal1]

can you add eggs after some have been in for a few days and just have them hatch later? or do they all have to be put in an the same day?

Thanks!

 

[TheBuff]

Yes, Just keep track of the days of the new ones added

 

[chicky gal1]

Ok, so at the last few days when I up the humidity, that won't make a difference for the ones that need a few more days? thanks so much for your help!!

 

[jacyjones]

I would find it hard in my small incubator to do this - I would not be able to turn some eggs and not others. If you can do this then I suppose you would be alright but you would not be able to open the incubator in the last 3 days of the first hatch - so the others would have to be left alone too!! I suppose it depends on the dates - you can't take chicks out if the second lot are on their days when you need to keep the lid on. Does that make sense?

 

[chicky gal1]

jacyjones thanks for all of those details. Right now I have eggs that I just put in this morning (Thursday) at 10am with an automatic turner going. on sunday a neighbor with fertile eggs wants to give me 2 dozen fertile eggs to hatch along with this batch. so they will be three days apart. does it matter if I don't turn the second batch for the last 6 days or so? because I will have to take the turner out to allow the first batch to hatch in the last three days or so. thanks so much, this is all very confusing to a first timer!!

I have Phoenix eggs, BB Coocku marans eggs in so far from a breeder who I purchased hatching eggs from.

 

[jacyjones]

That is difficult. I think 6 days would be too long without turning. You have to stop at day 18 but you would be stopping quite a lot earlier than that for the second batch, wouldn't you? Is there any way your neighbour can give you eggs after this lot have hatched? I think I would either get a second incubator or say I could not do the second lot of eggs cos the timing is wrong.
Good luck with what you decide!

 

[chicky gal1]

Problem solved! A very kind fellow BYCer came over last night and gave us a dozen eggs to put in last night!! thanks paul!!!!

So I think we will pass on the other ones and wait until next hatch and get some! Thanks for your help!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Glad your problem is solved. It sounds like a good solution.

Some people get around the difference in timing problem by having a separate hatcher. It keeps the incubator cleaner also.