The 8th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!!!!

[ronott1]

hello,
I've read you should set your eggs on their sides with the air cell slightly raised. How do I do that. I was just set them down of the floor of the incubator.

Eggs are set different ways depending on the stage of incubation. For the first 18 days they have to be turned so the tiling part is not very important. Setting with the air cell up and slightly tilted is for the last 3 days of incubation when the eggs are locked down for hatching.

I incubate in an auto egg turner. They go in pointy end down(air cell at the top). I then set them in either egg cartons or plastic hatching trays for lockdown.

Incubating:

The eggs in front are in trays that go into my brinsea octagon



Hatching setup:

 

[BantyChooks]

York, just get a few ducks.... They aren't bad then. I have a watering solution that's practically free... I can share it, if you wish?

I currently have a 1-legged WH in my basement.... Love that girl to bits.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

If I set on March 25, that would be my third hatch this year by that time! I might, maybe I can get ahold of some turkey eggs...never owned a turkey...how old for butcher on those??

You will absolutely LOVE turkeys! It might get to the point where you won't want to butcher them because they're so amazing! Yes, I'm biased lol. @duluthralphie is NPIP and has numerous turkeys. You may be able to get some eggs off of him, depending on the weather at the time.

It's usually at least 6 months to butcher size for heritage turkeys. Our Christmas turkey was about 8 months old when we butchered him and was 16 lbs dressed out.

 

[chiknrangr]

I'd love to participate, but I'm in need of an incubator. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[The Duck Ladie]

Eggs are set different ways depending on the stage of incubation. For the first 18 days they have to be turned so the tiling part is not very important. Setting with the air cell up and slightly tilted is for the last 3 days of incubation when the eggs are locked down for hatching.

I incubate in an auto egg turner. They go in pointy end down(air cell at the top). I then set them in either egg cartons or plastic hatching trays for lockdown.

Incubating:

The eggs in front are in trays that go into my brinsea octagon



Hatching setup:

My incubator Floor is completely flat. What should I do to have the duck eggs tilted?

 

[feedman77]

My incubator Floor is completely flat. What should I do to have the duck eggs tilted?

If you want to hatch upright cut down egg cartons and set them small end down. If you want to hatch them on their sides when you goto to lockdown put a small book or magazine under one end of your incubator. Just enough to give it a small angle. The set your eggs the the big end towards the high end of the incubator.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Ooh duck eggs!

I'd love be some ducks but it's the mess that puts me off

Me too. Someday I'll hatch some. I really am in love with the call ducks, but geezzzzz, they are loud!

 

[LadyCluck77]

I'd love to participate, but I'm in need of an incubator. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Farm supply stores like TSC will have incubators on sale between now and in the next few weeks. The best bet is one with an air circulation fan, and an auto turner is a huge time-saver, especially if you work during the day.

I have a Brinsea and a Farm innovators and they are both good for typical hatching needs.

If you're handy, there are some very cool BYC threads about how to build your own, too. So glad to have you join us!

 

[The Duck Ladie]

If you want to hatch upright cut down egg cartons and set them small end down. If you want to hatch them on their sides when you goto to lockdown put a small book or magazine under one end of your incubator. Just enough to give it a small angle. The set your eggs the the big end towards the high end of the incubator.

Hmm... The water pan for humidity is right below the wire floor, so I don't think I could put a magazine under it because it would stop humidity. Guess I'll put the duck eggs in a carton when it's time for lockdown?

 

[ronott1]

My incubator Floor is completely flat. What should I do to have the duck eggs tilted?

You can put them into cartons and then tilt the incubator. Another way is to put them into cartons and then turn them over three times a day.

Depending on your incubator, you can buy turners from incubator warehouse.

http://incubatorwarehouse.com/egg-incubator-accessories/incubator-egg-turners.html

examples: