Question on hatching Turkey Eggs...

[ma2babygurl13]

I have some turkey eggs due to hatch this weekend, they have been in an incubator on a turner but now I have some questions... I have several different hatch dates and everything I read said to quit turning 3 days before hatch. So I plan on taking them out and putting them in a bin with a heat lamp. We candled them tonight and are about 98% positive they are all fertile.
So here are my questions...
1) I plan on moving the eggs to a "brooder" should they remain in the same position they have been in the turner (up and down) or is it ok to lay them on their sides? If so would a cardboard egg carton be sufficient?
2) I plan on keeping them warm under a heat lamp, is this OK?
3) What humidity level should they be at for hatch?
4) What is the best to use on the floor of the brooder?
5) Is there a certain time from the first pip hole til they should be out of their shell before I worry?

Any other general knowledge will be great, I have never hatched any egg so I am a little nervous about it!

Also I hope it is ok but I am cross posting this to the Turkey area too...

 

[onthespot]

They should be the same temp as the incubator.
The humidity should be 60-65%.
It is okay to put them on their sides. DO NOT KEEP CANDLING THEM once you lay them down. Just lay them down and manage the humidity and temps. Sorry for shouting at you, I am actually shouting at me, because that is my biggest temptation. If you can't get the humidity up, I have had luck with misting the eggs with a spray bottle set on fine spray a couple times a day for the few days before hatch. DON'T do it if your humidity has been running a little high all throughout the incubation period.
Don't put anything that will absorb or wick moisture under or around the egg for hatching, otherwise the paper towel, fabric, cardboard, or what have you will suck all the moisture out of the egg while the chick is zipping and he will dry out and get stuck to the shell and die if you don't help him, and probably even if you do. (Been there, done that!)
I would not worry for at least a day after the first pip hole.

Good luck with your hatch! Be sure to post pics!

 

[austinhart123]

i wouldnt put them in a brooder to hatch, becuase it would be too hard to keep 99.5 degres F and 65-75% humidity

 

[ma2babygurl13]

well basically the "brooder" i was going to use was a plastic tub with a hole cut in the lid so I can see and put the light in other than that it would be closed, I planned on keeping a close eye on the temp and humidity with thermometer and hygrometer, but if this isn't a good idea, then what should I do, go and spend $50 on another incubator (no turners) and move them to that?

 

[onthespot]

If you use the plastic tub for the brooder, put a few small holes down at the bottom for good air exchange. The light will warm the air and make it rise and it will draw fresh air from the small holes in the bottom. I don't see why you couldn't make a plastic tub work as a brooder if you worked hard enough at it. Practice WAY before the eggs are ready to take out, several days before, so you can practice with the temps and humidity until you get it steady where it needs to be. Good luck and post pics so we can all chime in with suggestions! LOL