Three different hatch dates..what do I do with humididty %

[robinaggie]

I broke down and got another LG for hatching. After reading here about the smells

from a messy incubator I couldn't take a chance.

After the first hatch, can you take the remaining eggs out really gently, clean the 'bator really quickly, and set the eggs again? I read that eggs can be out of the incubator for as long as 10 minutes for candling.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

OK seems like the main concern is keeping it clean? What if I were to clean and sanitize the bator real quick after the hatch is done? I would get it done in 1/2 hours time and dried with the blow dryer. I could make sure the eggs are someplace very warm until I was done? OH and I could have a clean screen to use for the new babies. All the hatches are within a week plus 2 days. But I could at least get the worst parts out. What is I were to cover the other eggs loosely with the egg carton cover?

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

After the first hatch, can you take the remaining eggs out really gently, clean the 'bator really quickly, and set the eggs again? I read that eggs can be out of the incubator for as long as 10 minutes for candling.

We must have posted the same time LOL​

 

[Katy]

I hatch in an egg carton all the time and the chicks don't have any problem with them getting out. In fact I've had better hatch rates since I started doing it that way and the first ones to hatch don't bowl the later hatching ones all over. I'll never go back to just laying them on their sides.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I use the egg cartons too but cut them down a bit since I have tiny Serama eggs. My chicks didn't have any problems getting out yet. Thanks everyone for all your ideas and I will post to let you know how it went. I have decided to clean it a bit in between hatches and keep every hatch in it's own box/carton. I will cut a screen to the same size as the one that's in there and put that in too. The last two hatches are only two days apart so I don't think I will need to clean after the second hatch. I will keep it right about 60% humidity and see how that works. My first hatch is 6 eggs, my 2nd is 5 or 6 eggs and my third is the most, at 9

 

[MTtroutwithwings]

I'm currently using a hovabator w/a turbo fan for incubation and thinking about a second bator for hatching (42 guineas eggs on the way) our local feed store only carries Solid State still airs...would this be good enough for a hatcher?
My eggs will be on two separate hatch dates as well so I need to plan for this situation too.
(Sorry, not to steal your thread just seem like the perfect time to include this question too.

)

 

[homeandbarnbasics]

Again, just my opinion, but if I had to choose a still air over a forced air fan I would certainly take the forced air for the hatcher. The fan is an invaluable tool to remove excess mositure and help the chick dry faster after hatch. When I used small table top incubators exclusively, I used a still air LG (before I discovered Hova-bators) for the setter and a forced air model for my hatcher. Still air (thermal air) will work if you don't have a choice or if cost is a concern, but in a perfect world (yeah right) a forced air fan model on both would be best.

Hope this helps. Let me know if I can help out with a bator for you MTtroutwithwings

Thanks
Tony

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I just used an electric skillet for my hatcher. I have two other batches in the bator so it was not an option.