I am going to try hatching my eggs in a carton for the first time. I have searched and found a lot of information on the subject but nothing talking about the specific position of the egg when you place it in the carton. Do you stand them up straight or slant them as much as possible? This is for the last three days before hatching, "lockdown". Thank you, Randy Baker Winters, CA
I got several suggestions that in lockdown they should be on their side..was told to use the top of the carton..reason stated was that in the carton the chick can't always summon the energy to kick out of the shell and carton..hope it helps.
I lay them down. Most eggs, because of their shape, the large end will be slightly elevated which is what you want. If you do use cartons I would just make sure air sac is up as for the entire incubation.
I'm using an auto turner in a Hova Bator 1588. Just want to put the eggs in a carton for the last three days and see if I get a batter hatch rate.
hatch rate can have a lot to do with many different factors. i too own a 1588 with an egg turner. and i have always used a carton, except for my 1st couple hatches. i love it cuz it keeps the eggs stable when chicks are having a party in the bator. i usually cut the bottoms out of my cartons so the carton looks like 12 rings....i do this cuz i read somewhere on here about air circulation etc. i candle before i put them into lockdown and i use a pencil to trace around the air cell (not perfectly) but just to get an idea which way it's slanting (it's very rarely perfectly on top) and then i slant the egg so that the air cell is facing more up. anyway, all my eggs are slanted away from the incubator wall too (if the carton is smack dab up against the wall) cuz i don't want them to have any problems popping their top off. u'll find load of info here on the subject. some people sware by it, others would never do it. i personally like it, it's a personal decision.
