This sucks!

[zazouse]

you could set your eggs that go into lockdown in egg cartons then you can gently roll the eggs in the bator by tilting it.

 

[BeckyBird]

Lots of great replies. Don't throw them out! They should be just fine

 

[emvickrey]

During the winter I would have a hatch every week and after some hatched I would add more. I did this all winter. I had a great hatch rate. I did have some issues with curled toes but that is easily fixed. I lost very few also. At first I upped the humidity but then tried just keeping it around 45 and 55 and had better luck with less curled toes.

I wouldn't worry about it.

I had some home made turners at the time. They where egg cartons with the bottoms cut out and fixed onto wire hangers that where formed to have rockers so I could turn the handle from the outside. I have aquarium hoses inserted through 3 of the vent holes in the bator and into the wells to add water. I used vise grips to hold the turners in place. On lock down I just stopped turning. I had a 20 gallon aquarium next to the bator and as the chicks hatched I took them out and put them in the aquaruim with the heat light. They did just fine.

I agree with OOpsy daisy. I think we try to make this more trouble than it really should be. Momma has to go potty and eat and drink so she has to get up. The eggs loose temp and humidity when she moves.

This year I bought another bator. The lock down eggs go in it and I just watch the temp and humidity and add water. It's alot less work for sure.