using egg cartons in bator?

[becky3086]

Well, I read this post and put my mille fleur eggs in the paper cartons to hatch this time. 4 out of 5 did hatch. Now the only problem that I saw was that after the chick had zipped it was easy to get the top of the shell off their head but it took them forever to get their butts and legs out of the shell because they were upright. I am not sure this was a good thing, never had that problem with eggs laid on their sides.
Becky

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I like it because they tend to "rest" in the shell after they zip the top off. Every chick I've hatched this way has been much cleaner - no yolk sac issues and they seem healthier to me.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
becky, it only takes them forever when you are watching closely.

I think it is better for them to sit in the egg longer while they are still using up the yolk sac. they stay cleaner, I think.. and more developed when they do finally
(after forever) jump into this world

 

[deerman]

All the larger incubators with fans. Eggs are laid flat in hatching trays.

the ones that hold hundreds to thousands.

So you can lay them flat to hatch.

 

[BirdBoy88]

So far i have did the egg carton method once and i have to say it was great

i still love laying my eggs on there sides to hatch but with the egg carton at least you don't have to worry about the other chicks that hatch rolling the other eggs around that are hatching

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
I keep seeing this statement over and over.. what is the harm of the other chicks bumping and rolling the eggs ?

 

[deerman]

Quote:
I keep seeing this statement over and over.. what is the harm of the other chicks bumping and rolling the eggs ?

No harm in the chicks roling the other eggs. They dont need turned the last 3 days,but no harm if they are.

All the big hatcheries place there eggs in hatching trays, laying eggs flat.

 

[kelliepulido]

I have used the egg carton method 2x and really like it.The first time I had a still air bator and used the hand turning with the eggs all laid in the bator.That hatch wasn't very successful.I think it was difficult to turn the eggs and when the hatching started I hated to see the chicks rolling the other eggs.The next 2 batches I used the egg carton.I used the cardboard ones w/holes cut in the bottom.I have a fan now and the hatches have been better and alot cleaner and no rolling.And the turning is way easier just tip the carton from side to side,takes a couple seconds and you don't have to touch the eggs.

 

[becky3086]

Oh, I think it definitely can kill chicks if they are rolled around too much by the others. My basis for this thinking is that usually if the eggs all pip around the same time they hatch fine but if you get a bunch to pip and hatch then roll the others around, a lot of times the others won't hatch well or they pip and can't get out of the egg. I think it just wears them out being rolled around so much. Big hatcheries often have full trays so less rolling, mine usually isn't anywhere near full so that the eggs can roll a lot. Anyway, just my thoughts on it, not sure I am right but this is what happens with mine. I usually cut rings out of butter tubs and put eggs in them in the incubator so that they don't roll much, this helps as well.
Going to try the egg carton one again though as I have two batches of eggs hatching this week and see how it goes again.
Becky

 

[jvls1942]

You know that you can lay eggs on their sides in a carton.. now you have the best of both worlds..

I lay my goose eggs on their sides in chicken trays in auto turners .