Space eggs out? or fill 'er up?

[Frizzle Farmer]

My turner hold 42 eggs, but I've been thinking about putting in eggs every other spot and only loading 21. Would this help my hatch rate, or am I just wasting valuable room? Its a HovaBator Genesis, forced air.

 

[Saltysteele]

the hen has them packed in, sometimes 2 layers

 

[clairabean]

If it is meant to hold 42, then go for it. The eggs needs space for airflow, but your bator is probably built for it. It will most likely not affect your hatch rate.

Trying to duplicate what a chicken does (packed two layers) is kind of silly. No one can be a hen.

 

[Frizzle Farmer]

Good point! I think I'll fill it! Besides, more eggs=more chicks!

 

[FeatheredObsessions]

I have done some creative incubator filling before. Make sure the air can circulate still.

 

[wolftracks]

You haven't researched enough.

You have to check out the Tetris Stacking some of us do. LOL

 

[Denninmi]

I double stacked my last batch of quail eggs, and had about the best hatch ever. I didn't use the rails sent with my Brinsea, they just take up space. I just packed in the first layer, put the second layer in the natural spaces between the first, then slipped the entire tray into a nylon mesh bag I had saved from lemons I bought at the grocery store. Then, I put 4 large rubber bands evenly spaced along the tray to hold it all together.

I agree, as long as air can circulate, it doesn't matter, might as well use full capacity.

 

[Frizzle Farmer]

i love the creativity! this all gives me full confidence to fill it!

 

[wolftracks]

Quote:
I need to see a pic of that!

I have 110 quail due the 23rd and that sounds like it would have been a big help.