Staggered hatch...

[Mvan42]

I know this has been asked many times. But......

For those who do staggered hatches. What works and dont work for you. I only have one incubator but if needed may be able to borrow another.

I have eggs arriving by Saturday and some being shipped next week. So hatch dates will be about a week apart..

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

A dedicated hatcher is what works for me. If needed, it can be used as an incubator, too (you see the possibilities/dangers..?).

Best of luck with your hatches!

 

[Mvan42]

A dedicated hatcher is what works for me. If needed, it can be used as an incubator, too (you see the possibilities/dangers..?).

Best of luck with your hatches!

Thanks I will look ok 8nto that. I have never heard about it before..

 

[TriskeleFarm]

I* also have this issue - I set 14 eggs in the incubator last week, forgetting about the 6 I'd bid on...they arrived today. Tomorrow the first batch will have been in 7 days. I don't have another incubator or an option for a dedicated hatcher box.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Thanks I will look ok 8nto that. I have never heard about it before..

A "hatcher" (at least as I define it) is simply an incubator that's used just for lockdown and hatch. Often, it's an inexpensive still air unit. The purpose for the hatcher is to contain the hatching mess (egg goop, poop, dander, etc.) that would otherwise foul a more expensive incubator and, ideally, it would be easy to clean and disinfect.

Mine is a Hova-bator 2370, a circulated air styrofoam incubator that also can be converted to still air. I give it a good scrubbing and disinfecting after each hatch and it works like a champ. If needed, it could also be filled with eggs and serve as an incubator, too.

 

[HogWildAboutChix]

Hoping to add a question here -

What if you are gathering from your own eggs, 5 or 6 per day? Should you space adding them to the bator by 2 or 3 days? Im worried about shrink wrapping one egg because I need to add others to the "hatcher"?!

Ive read some people don't really do a "lockdown". What precautions do you need to take to not foil a hatch?