please help with advice on a stagged hatch!! due 3/25 and 3/27

[sunket77]

OK peeps! this is my first official incubator hatch and we are going into lockdown...
I have 19 maran eggs due to start hatching 3/25 and 4 salman favs and 1 jap. bantam due to hatch on 3/27
ok so I have been advised NOT to open the bator until everyone is hatched but if any hatch on 3/25 then by the time the others are finished it will be longer than three days for the first hatchlings....but if I open the bator I will compromise the rest of the hatch...
I have also read that sometimes the Japanese might need some help b/c of the short legs.
Any of you pro hatchers have any good advice??? I would REALLY appreciate it!!!!

 

[Elite Silkies]

My best advice would be to let all the marans hatch and get them out as quickly as you can. You can get a damp cloth, cover the ones that have not hatched, while getting the other out.

You can also lightly mist the other eggs. I can not guarantee this will work.

 

[Ridgerunner]

This is why I don't do staggered hatches, but many people seem to so I'll let them tell you how they manage it. The only thing I can think of is to have a second incubator to use as a hatcher for the Maran eggs.

Good luck with it.

 

[Daidohead]

Is it possible to move the incubator into a bathroom when it's time to remove the chicks ? With a hot shower running in a humid room I'd think you would lessen any humidity loss while removing the chicks from the first set. Just be very quick when ya do it.

BTW, I still chuckle every time I see your sig. line

 

[Julie08]

just take them out fast. I take mine out as they hatch, I know everyone will say not to but it works for me thats all I can say is what I know for experience, I have never had a bad hatch or check with any defects out of at least 10 bators full probably 20 if I started to really tally them up. Over a couple hundred chicks and some ducks, I take them out as they dry.

 

[sunket77]

Quote:
Thanks! it's a common saying in our house!

 

[sunket77]

well.. the last hatch we had I had 10 under a broody and 4 in the incubator, we had a hatch of 13 out of 14 (one was a dud) and during hatch time we would take ones that zipped or hatched out and put them with the broody. and we didn't have any losses or shrink-wrapped chicks but it was a very rainy season and the humidity was really high for central Texas... I am frustrated b/c I have 3 thermometers that read 3 different things! A digital w/ humidity from wal-mart and two bulb type that came with the bator and egg turner. I don't know which one to believe! I think I may stick an oral thermometer through the air-hole and see what it reads....

also..... I don't want to leave the thermometer in there with the big plastic backing on top of the eggs should I take it out? I'm sorry about all the questions! just want to get all the help I can so glad for this site!!!!!

 

[sunket77]

Quote:
agreed! I won't be doing this again!!!