tips and secrets of the GQF 1502 sportsman...

[debbiegt]

I am in lockdown now and this is probably the wrong time to ask but can regular size chicken eggs hatch and stand up in the hatching tray with the wire lid on it? I had not had it actually inside the incubator until I was ready.

 

[bdfive]

I have the newer GQF 1502. It doesn't have a lid for the hatching tray. I worry in my case about the shelves rotating to turn the eggs when there are chicks in the hatcher drawer at the bottom. The lower shelf leans well down into the drawer. Guess the chicks know to duck before getting clobered. Sometimes I switch to manual control moving the incubating eggs on shelves above so that lower shelf doesn't lean down into the hatching drawer as much.

 

[cmom]

I am in lockdown now and this is probably the wrong time to ask but can regular size chicken eggs hatch and stand up in the hatching tray with the wire lid on it? I had not had it actually inside the incubator until I was ready.

I have the newer GQF 1502. It doesn't have a lid for the hatching tray. I worry in my case about the shelves rotating to turn the eggs when there are chicks in the hatcher drawer at the bottom. The lower shelf leans well down into the drawer. Guess the chicks know to duck before getting clobered. Sometimes I switch to manual control moving the incubating eggs on shelves above so that lower shelf doesn't lean down into the hatching drawer as much.

Mine didn't seem to have a problem. I only hatched in it a few times mostly when I first got my cabinet. I didn't like the mess even though there is a flat tray in the bottom of the incubator that caught most of the shell fragments. Now I only use my cabinet as an incubator and hatch in my styrofoam incubators. I have had my cabinet for several years. It is an older model.

 

[debbiegt]

Mine didn't seem to have a problem. I only hatched in it a few times mostly when I first got my cabinet. I didn't like the mess even though there is a flat tray in the bottom of the incubator that caught most of the shell fragments. Now I only use my cabinet as an incubator and hatch in my styrofoam incubators. I have had my cabinet for several years. It is an older model.

thank you I feel relieved. Last question...when do I open to check on and remove them? I really wish I had a clear door!

 

[bdfive]

thank you I feel relieved. Last question...when do I open to check on and remove them? I really wish I had a clear door!

Love your pictures. You look so organized. I see the tray in the bottom of your GQF. The hatching trays are deeper in the new Sportsman incubators. I bought the liners copied below that work great in my tray to keep it clean. It doesn't look like the picture of liner came through but go to "accessories" on the website. I put some of that rubbery shelf liner over the gqf liner so the chicks have even better firm footing and often can use the liner a second time.

The styrofoam incubators don't work well for the peafowl eggs. I'm actually thinking about getting a gqf hatcher but would probably purchase another incubator and use it as a hatcher. I'll loose a hatching drawer doing that......will have 4 instead of 5 but think the resale will be better on an incubator. LOL, I'd probably then use it as a second incubator with more and more eggs and still need a hatcher. NO, don't need any more work and responsibility!!!!!!! I'm retired and suppose to slow down and smell the roses, LOL!!!!
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1627 25 DACB Hatching Tray Liners

These trays perfectly fit the No. 1502 hatching drawer and provide a cushioned liner for the eggs as well as firm footing for newly hatched chicks. These liners are 2-ply heavy paper. The top ply has been treated with a mild germicide to control bacteria and suppress odors. Highly recommended, these disposable tray liners make for a quick and easy clean up of the plastic hatching drawer in the No. 1502 and 1202E incubators. Liner size 13.25” X 27.69”

 

[bdfive]

Love your pictures. You look so organized. I see the tray in the bottom of your GQF. The hatching trays are deeper in the new Sportsman incubators. I bought the liners copied below that work great in my tray to keep it clean. It doesn't look like the picture of liner came through but go to "accessories" on the website. I put some of that rubbery shelf liner over the gqf liner so the chicks have even better firm footing and often can use the liner a second time.

The styrofoam incubators don't work well for the peafowl eggs. I'm actually thinking about getting a gqf hatcher but would probably purchase another incubator and use it as a hatcher. I'll loose a hatching drawer doing that......will have 4 instead of 5 but think the resale will be better on an incubator. LOL, I'd probably then use it as a second incubator with more and more eggs and still need a hatcher. NO, don't need any more work and responsibility!!!!!!! I'm retired and suppose to slow down and smell the roses, LOL!!!!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1627 25 DACB Hatching Tray Liners

These trays perfectly fit the No. 1502 hatching drawer and provide a cushioned liner for the eggs as well as firm footing for newly hatched chicks. These liners are 2-ply heavy paper. The top ply has been treated with a mild germicide to control bacteria and suppress odors. Highly recommended, these disposable tray liners make for a quick and easy clean up of the plastic hatching drawer in the No. 1502 and 1202E incubators. Liner size 13.25” X 27.69”

 

[bdfive]

Debbiegt, why the heck did my post show up twice???? Oh well!!!

Regarding your last question I forgot to address:

I just bought a clear door and love, love, love it. I can see in so well. Certainly worth the money if the newer ones will fit your incubator. Not suppose to open that door if chicks have pipped or they can dry out and stick to the shell. I've read the chicks can stay in there for 48 hours but I usually manage to remove mine at about 24 hours or a little more.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I'm retired also, but there is a lot of work to do on the farm. I have heard people say how did they do all of their chores and go to work too. Now I wonder the same thing.

My trays are metal. I have plastic racks that hold 54 eggs in each rack, and my incubator holds 6 racks (2 racks in each tray). I have a flat metal tray under the hatching tray. I originally had 2 cabinet incubators. I eventually sold one. The styrofoam incubators work fine for me as hatchers and if I am incubating a small number of eggs then I incubate as well as hatch in one too. I never hatched any peafowl eggs. I have heard they are rather difficult to hatch.

 

[debbiegt]

CMOM, thank you for the help! 4 have hatched so far. I will check again in the morning. Or maybe middle of the night if I can't sleep. Lol. I am definitely going to buy something separate for the lockdown/hatch.

 

[debbiegt]

If my (shipped) silkie eggs were due to hatch the 21st and 5 of 14 have hatched (1 on the 20th & 4 on the 21st) but I see 2 eggs with beaks sticking out and peeping ( they have not advanced since last night)...When should I worry?