Timing Issue with Setting Five Egg Shipments

[TheCrazyChick]

First time incubator here. I won 5 ebay auctions last Wednesday. Bid on ones whose estimated time of arrival was similar. In this case March 25 or 26, Monday or Tuesday. 2 boxes were mailed Wednesday and arrived Saturday. 2 boxes were mailed Saturday and arrived Monday. Final box has not been mailed yet. Obviously won't arrive until Wednesday or Thursday.

What do I do? Wait til Thursday (which will actually be Friday since they need to sit for at least 12 hours.)? Or set the 4 other boxes tomorrow and add in the rest when they get here?

 

[mnferalkitty]

I would set the the ones you have then when the others come add those make sure you mark them, Do you have another incubator to use as a hatcher?

 

[TheCrazyChick]

Unfortunately, no, don't have another bator. I may have to splurge and go get one. Ugh. Very disappointing for my first experience with ebay. They were supposed to arrive yesterday or today. I just checked again, and they still have not been shipped. Thanks for your advice. I'll start incubating the others I guess.

 

[mandelyn]

Another incubator would be ideal. But if you can line things up to where the last eggs are into lockdown when the others are hatching, and you have some trays to set the last eggs in to keep them from getting bumped around, that would work too. I use shallow (about 2 inches high) plastic trays, usually from take-out food, to either keep eggs out of the way of newly hatched chicks, or put rowdy chicks in to dry to keep them from rolling other eggs around.

Since you have more hatching sooner rather than later, I would put the last eggs to hatch in the trays. It's not a big deal if they miss one or two days of turning, and it's too late in the process for the increased humidity to affect them. Loss of moisture is crucial during incubation, and it starts from day one. You'll notice the air sack getting larger as time passes. The last day or two at the end won't ruin them.

It is stressful having a staggered hatch. Be sure to write hatch dates on the eggs, so you know who's who. The stress isn't so bad with a hatcher ready to take on lockdown, so that the other eggs get the full time undisturbed. It took me about 8 years to cave and buy another incubator. Husband got tired of watching me pull my hair out when hatching went on for a week or so with staggered dates from shipped eggs, so he surprised me with a new incubator that's all digital and high tech.

The old still air Hovabator is now the designated hatcher.

 

[TheCrazyChick]

Another incubator would be ideal. But if you can line things up to where the last eggs are into lockdown when the others are hatching, and you have some trays to set the last eggs in to keep them from getting bumped around, that would work too. I use shallow (about 2 inches high) plastic trays, usually from take-out food, to either keep eggs out of the way of newly hatched chicks, or put rowdy chicks in to dry to keep them from rolling other eggs around.

Since you have more hatching sooner rather than later, I would put the last eggs to hatch in the trays. It's not a big deal if they miss one or two days of turning, and it's too late in the process for the increased humidity to affect them. Loss of moisture is crucial during incubation, and it starts from day one. You'll notice the air sack getting larger as time passes. The last day or two at the end won't ruin them.

It is stressful having a staggered hatch. Be sure to write hatch dates on the eggs, so you know who's who. The stress isn't so bad with a hatcher ready to take on lockdown, so that the other eggs get the full time undisturbed. It took me about 8 years to cave and buy another incubator. Husband got tired of watching me pull my hair out when hatching went on for a week or so with staggered dates from shipped eggs, so he surprised me with a new incubator that's all digital and high tech.

The old still air Hovabator is now the designated hatcher.

My LG has a auto turner, so that would solve the eggs rolling around while others are hatching issue. I suppose I could simply buy another cheap LG still air to use as a hatcher. Hate to spend $40 because of someone else's mistake, but also don't want those eggs to go to waste if they ever make it here. Thanks for the advice. At least now I know a little more about humidity issues towards the end!

Grandkids are visiting for Spring Break and this was to be one of our projects, so I think we will get those eggs set today!

 

[mandelyn]

If you have the style of turner that covers the whole floor of the incubator, it must be removed for hatching. Anything with moving parts, or spaces where chicks could be stuck or injured, it must be removed before they hatch. The turner always is removed for hatching, they cannot safely hatch from in it. Some people will transfer them to the tops of egg cartons to keep bumping to a minimum. That's why I use the trays to separate them.

That's why the last eggs due to hatch won't be turned, the turner has to come out.

 

[TheCrazyChick]

If you have the style of turner that covers the whole floor of the incubator, it must be removed for hatching. Anything with moving parts, or spaces where chicks could be stuck or injured, it must be removed before they hatch. The turner always is removed for hatching, they cannot safely hatch from in it. Some people will transfer them to the tops of egg cartons to keep bumping to a minimum. That's why I use the trays to separate them.

That's why the last eggs due to hatch won't be turned, the turner has to come out.

I thought I read that I could take out a few rows of the egg holders in the turner and put the eggs on the grate in that spot. Then when they start pipping turn off the turner? Once those are hatched, remove the turner for the late ones? Does that make sense?

Will probably end up getting another bator from Tractor Supply, regardless. I see they are $10 off right now, which brings the price down to $34.99. Not too bad I guess, for peace of mind.

Thanks for checking about that, though. That would most definitely not be a pretty sight!

 

[mandelyn]

LOL Yeah I was like "OMG the turner has to come out!" I never thought about removing individual rows, I just remove the whole thing and lay them all down, using the trays as needed.

It is a LOT less stress using a hatcher.

 

[TheCrazyChick]

LOL Yeah I was like "OMG the turner has to come out!" I never thought about removing individual rows, I just remove the whole thing and lay them all down, using the trays as needed.

It is a LOT less stress using a hatcher.

Okay, you've convinced me!

 

[mandelyn]

Well at that price, and the fact that it also doubles your incubation capacity to further ensure proper chicken math takes place... then really, why not?