Use an incubator for multiple batches of eggs

[Lizmom]

You're not supposed to use an incubator for different clutches of eggs because the last two days before hatching they have to be treated differently. Would it be possible to buy a larger incubator, adding eggs to it about every 3 days, with each egg marked with the date. When hatching is due in 2 days, could you move the eggs to a smaller incubator that is cooler with more humidity and no turning?

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

I have done this in the past, but I had significantly lower hatch rates. That was when I first started hatching, so I'm not sure if it was the staggered hatch or something else I was doing wrong. It did work better when I moved them to a smaller incubator for lockdown so the chicks that hatched weren't knocking around the eggs that weren't ready yet. Maybe someone else has done this with more success.

 

[NatJ]

Would it be possible to buy a larger incubator, adding eggs to it about every 3 days, with each egg marked with the date. When hatching is due in 2 days, could you move the eggs to a smaller incubator that is cooler with more humidity and no turning?

Very possible, but it's more common to set eggs once a week.

That means they move into the hatcher (smaller incubator) at weekly intervals.

So there are 2-3 days before they hatch, possibly a few more days waiting for stragglers to hatch, clean the hatcher, and by then it's time for the next batch to move in.

Eggs are usually considered to have very high hatchability if you store them for up to a week, which fits well with such a system.

And, of course, weekly schedules are easy for people to keep track of

 

[EggSighted4Life]

You're not supposed to use an incubator for different clutches of eggs because the last two days before hatching they have to be treated differently. Would it be possible to buy a larger incubator, adding eggs to it about every 3 days, with each egg marked with the date. When hatching is due in 2 days, could you move the eggs to a smaller incubator that is cooler with more humidity and no turning?

As @NatJ posted.. is what I did every single week for a year straight. 3 days is not enough leeway for hatching variations!

I like my hovabator 1602N (still air) for hatching. Not so small, but plenty of room to add heat sync (water bottle filled with water and sand) for stability in case of power outage, or extra bator space if you need it. Also can't complain about my Genesis 1588 either!

One of my favorite incubation resources, hope you enjoy..
Incubation guide

Happy hatching!