Two different due dates...what to do?

[Superman1360]

Hello,

This is our first time hatching eggs. We bought a dozen and a half eggs from a chicken swap and set them on Sunday March 21. We also tried setting some of our own eggs that we were sure were probably not fertile (bantam roo, Angus, RIP) with full sized hens. But figured it was worth a try. After 5 days there was no developing in any of our eggs, plus some of the ones we bought. We were told that incubators do better filled to about half capacity so the following Sat we bought another dozen and set them that day. So I have a total of 21 eggs in the incubator that all seem to be developing.

My question has to do with Lockdown. Our 1st round of eggs should start hatching this coming Sunday, but the rest are not due until Sat April 17th. We have been manually turning our eggs, so do I put them on Lockdown now and stop turning, or quickly open the incubator and turn the second batch? They are all marked, so I know which ones are which, just not sure what to do. If I stop turning now, will it be really bad for the later eggs? Next time we will just wait and only have one batch at a time in there, but too late now!

Temp has been steady at 100, but we have not been measuring humidity. I keep the try full and we spray the eggs with room temp water each time we turn them.

Thanks!

 

[MuranoFarms]

I've never tried a staggered hatch in 1 incubator. I did the same thing with my first hatch...but I went out and bought a second bator to hatch in.

I've heard that If you can put the newest set in a carton on one side of the bator and the hatchers on the other side they should be fine. After they finish hatching, continue with your turning schedule.

Good luck!

 

[Daidohead]

From the posts I have read the only real problem is the humidity. The safe upper level for incubating is around 50%, The lower safe level for hatch is around 60%. If you can quickly bring the humidity up for lockdown and then quickly drop the humidity for the rest of your incubating after the hatch you shouldn't have a problem. The more you deviate from " ideal " conditions the more chance you have for failed hatching. Getting a second incubator for hatching is your best bet.