Staggered Hatch

[TAGchick]

I received 7 Silkie eggs and 8 Lavender Orpington eggs a few days ago and waited as long as I could for my Wyandottes to come in. BUT I'm still waiting. I had no choice but to start incubation on the other eggs. If my wyandottes come in tomorrow or the next day, how important is it that I get a 2nd incubator? This is for my classroom of 3-5th gifted students. I'd rather not buy another incubator as I probably won't use it again, but if I must I will. This is our 3rd hatch.

 

[WVduckchick]

Staggered hatches aren't ideal, but for a classroom, it may be a good experiment to try?

I would prefer at least a weeks separation on due dates, so when you increase humidity for the first group, you will have a few days to reduce it back down, then increase it again. Also delaying humidity increase for the first set could wait till day 19, then it would only be high for a couple days, which shouldn't affect the second group too much.

But, I would also advise a good separator inside so that the hatching chicks don't mess with the second group of eggs. A basket, partition, mesh bag, etc.

Or maybe borrow a hatcher?

 

[Familyfarm47]

I received 7 Silkie eggs and 8 Lavender Orpington eggs a few days ago and waited as long as I could for my Wyandottes to come in. BUT I'm still waiting. I had no choice but to start incubation on the other eggs. If my wyandottes come in tomorrow or the next day, how important is it that I get a 2nd incubator? This is for my classroom of 3-5th gifted students. I'd rather not buy another incubator as I probably won't use it again, but if I must I will. This is our 3rd hatch.

where are you located?