Setting eggs, anyone want to join me? Hatch-Along

[Texasmja]

Is there any particular reason you take them out of the cartons before lockdown? I was going to just leave them in the cartons the whole way thru so that the newly hatched chicks can't go bowling with the ones who are still working on getting out. Plus, I'm kind of hoping it might make clean up a tad easier too. I had way more eggs the last time I incubated, and the mess after hatching was horrendous (plus my incubator is styrofoam, so I can't do any kind of scrubbing on it). Just curious and trying to figure out what might work a little better.....
Nikki

I have incubated both ways and both ways work. I bought a plastic egg tray that I cut to fit inside my Brinsea that I am incubating and hatching in. When I have shipped eggs with wonky aircells I hatch them in the tray upright.

 

[Texasmja]

 

[farmer boy]

day 6 with winter hatch so far so good

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I set my eggs on the 7th. They will go into lockdown on the 17th. Because i heard Serama eggs take a little less time to hatch.

Wow, only 10 days until lock down? I had a broody hen sit on OEGB eggs this past Spring, they're tiny as well, and they still took the normal 21 days. Please keep is updated on your progress? I'm very curious to see which day they actually hatch
Nikki

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Nope. No reason. I've hatched chicks with cartons, small little cups cut down low, and without. It is easier cleanup when they have something to catch the egg shell.

Ah, ok, so it shouldn't make a difference either way- good to know. And definitely glad to hear it will help keep my bator a little cleaner
Nikki

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Ok, those plastic trays are fantastic! And they look very much like an old Pepsi tray I have in my shed (excited!). I might have to cut that thing up and re-purpose it. It felt kind of wasteful to cut up a paper carton and pitch it everytime I incubated. Thanks so much for the great idea! Nikki

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

day 6 with winter hatch so far so good 

Glad to hear things are going well I'm very jealous you have a broody, I was really hoping for one myself. It would make things much easier for me, I'm looking forward to chicks, but not brooding them in my house! I bet your girl is gonna be a great momma!
Nikki

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I had to go out for a while today, and when I got back I found another egg! Which means I have 2 ladies laying- yay! I put it in to start cooking as well. Now, I'm telling myself I cannot add anymore eggs after today. CANNOT (can I?)! Haha
Nikki

 

[farmer boy]

Glad to hear things are going well

I'm very jealous you have a broody, I was really hoping for one myself. It would make things much easier for me, I'm looking forward to chicks, but not brooding them in my house! I bet your girl is gonna be a great momma!
Nikki

well she is a little nuts though lol so always attacks the wrong things like if a hen is hurting her chick she attacks me not the other hen idk why but she just does

 

[DURR]

UPDATE: my eggs that are due the 21st or sooner silly me forgot to date them when I numbered them. Anyways there is a heartbeat in 3 out of 4, the one that I can't tell is too porous to tell. It looks likr it has a blood ring but it doesn't go all the way around. Air sack is still normalish. Wooo I'm eggsited! And its all do to the wonderful new Matrix LED flashlight that I was able to make out some beaks and a heart beat! Woo!