to hatch in egg carton or not??

[ilovechickens]

I am on my 3rd bator hatch, they go into lock down on Sunday, I have 21 eggs in the bator that have made it this far. My last two hatches I just placed the eggs on the floor of the bator (wire mesh), and I had chicks rolling the eggs with some of the eggs ending up in shells or turned over so the pips were face down. I was wondering about using the egg carton method this time just to protect the eggs a bit from getting rolled all over the place and sometimes the baby chicks would be flopping around as they were trying to hatch, I am open for any idea

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I love hatching in cartons. Since I started that my hatch rates have gone up, and now almost every batch is 100%. I hatch my ducks and chickens in the cartons. Plus, it makes cleanup alot easier. I hate cleaning the bator.

I trim the cartons down a bit, and poke holes in the bottom incase I get a low pipper.

 

[PQ]

It worked for me when I didnt have a egg turner and I had used the egg carton as a make shift one. I just left them in the carton after lockdown and had a good hatch but it was hard on a few of the chicks that fell out and ended up between the carton and the incubator wall, so I would say just leave a little space between the both of them. GOOD LUCK!

 

[ilovechickens]

poke holes in the bottom how?? and do you separate each little compartment so that they are individual spaced throughout the bator

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
I just stab a hole in the bottoms with a scissor or screwdriver.

I dont seperate each little compartment. I just trim around the edges, so the sides are lowered. Sometimes I'll cut the carton up into 3, 4 egg holder sections.

 

[Illia]

I always hatch in a carton now - I had so many "pin-ball" troubles otherwise. I don't cut a hole though. . .

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
Alot of people dont cut a hole, I just feel better if I do.

 

[Junkmanme]

Although I haven't TRIED it yet (soon), I've been "saving" my PAPER Egg Cartons for this purpose. I figgur they would be better because they would absorb some humidity ...IF it gets too high...and release moisture if it gets too low.

Yep, I 'spect I'll use the egg cartons....Might keep the newly hatched from "messin' with the "unhatched eggs".

I GUESS,

-Junkmanme-

 

[ilovechickens]

what are "pin-ball" troubles

 

[Mom2Munchkins]

This is a good topic... I have never hatched in cartons, though I have thought about it... My duck eggs are so big that I don't think I could put them side by side, I'd have to do every other or something...

Also, you put pointy end up for hatching right?? Maybe I'll try this when I go into LD with my next eggs on May 2nd...