what to do on day 18 (eggs lay flat or in cartons?) *Eggtopsy* *Graphic*

[Seeleyhomestead]

Well 24 eggs went into lock down so as you can see I opted for the Lay down method so wish me luck and I'll let you know how many I have on hatch day.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Well 24 eggs went into lock down so as you can see I opted for the Lay down method so wish me luck and I'll let you know how many I have on hatch day.

Good luck!!

 

[lazy gardener]

I do not have a turner in my home made forced air bator. I use egg cartons (do not cut the bottoms out) and tilt the eggs in the cartons through day 14. I also rotate the eggs in each carton on the long axis 90* each day, so that they are not being tipped in the same plane continuously. And, then, because my forced air home made bator has some areas that are cooler than others, I also rotate the cartons through each area so that they all spend part of each day in the warmest and part of each day in the slightly cooler areas. On day 14, I take them out and lay them flat, continuing to hand turn until day 18. First hatch: 5/6 with an early quitter. Second hatch: 20/26 with 3 early quitters or clear, and 3 later quitters. 2 assisted hatch, one of which was shrink wrapped, and the other mal-positioned, too large. Shrink wrap chick did great, other chick had abdominal peritonitis, most likely from dragging through the muck from previous hatchlings.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I do not have a turner in my home made forced air bator. I use egg cartons (do not cut the bottoms out) and tilt the eggs in the cartons through day 14. I also rotate the eggs in each carton on the long axis 90* each day, so that they are not being tipped in the same plane continuously. And, then, because my forced air home made bator has some areas that are cooler than others, I also rotate the cartons through each area so that they all spend part of each day in the warmest and part of each day in the slightly cooler areas. On day 14, I take them out and lay them flat, continuing to hand turn until day 18. First hatch: 5/6 with an early quitter. Second hatch: 20/26 with 3 early quitters or clear, and 3 later quitters. 2 assisted hatch, one of which was shrink wrapped, and the other mal-positioned, too large. Shrink wrap chick did great, other chick had abdominal peritonitis, most likely from dragging through the muck from previous hatchlings.

Ok, so why do you say not to cut the bottoms out? Everything I have read suggests that this is needed for air circulation and it makes sense seeing as how even the egg turners have no bottoms, assumingly for circulation. So, I'm curious to your reasonings.

 

[lazy gardener]

I don't tell any body not to cut the bottoms out. I'm just telling you what I do. The cartons aren't as sturdy when the bottoms are cut out, so I opted not to do it. (cartons are cardboard, so they naturally breathe more than the foam ones would do.) Obviously, it didn't suffocate my chicklets. I'm the type of person who likes to challenge all of the "because they say that's the way you're supposed to do it" folks. If it doesn't make sense to me, I do it my way. And if my way works, fine. If not, then... I come to the conclusion that they were right after all. I tend to push convention, especially when it comes to gardening! Keeps the brain cells flexible, or smoking, sometimes a little bit of both!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I don't tell any body not to cut the bottoms out. I'm just telling you what I do. The cartons aren't as sturdy when the bottoms are cut out, so I opted not to do it. (cartons are cardboard, so they naturally breathe more than the foam ones would do.) Obviously, it didn't suffocate my chicklets. I'm the type of person who likes to challenge all of the "because they say that's the way you're supposed to do it" folks. If it doesn't make sense to me, I do it my way. And if my way works, fine. If not, then... I come to the conclusion that they were right after all. I tend to push convention, especially when it comes to gardening! Keeps the brain cells flexible, or smoking, sometimes a little bit of both!

That's the same way I am once I get a handle on what I am doing and confident in my abilities. I was just wondering your reasoning vs what I've read.

 

[lazy gardener]

Don't for a minute think that I have a "handle" on what I'm doing! I'm just flying by the seat of my pants here, and enjoying the ride. Any hobby I get involved in, I go into it full steam ahead, and spend hours doing research on the topic!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Don't for a minute think that I have a "handle" on what I'm doing! I'm just flying by the seat of my pants here, and enjoying the ride. Any hobby I get involved in, I go into it full steam ahead, and spend hours doing research on the topic!

LOL. I like to research too, now.... wish I had the thirst for knowledge when I was in school that I do now.

 

[Seeleyhomestead]

Eggs are rocking sense last night and it is day 20 today. I know it takes a long time till they hatch but can anyone give a gestimation on time of pip after they start rocking? I just want to know what can be expected in the next day or so.

 

[Seeleyhomestead]

OK so tonight at 10pm will be exactly 21 days. The temp goes between 99.1 to 99.2 and the humidity is a steady 76%. does this seem right so far. They were really rocking last night so I thought for sure I was going to get a pip after I went to bed but got up today and nothing so I'm trying not panic I know that nothing in incubating has a set time but if someone could please help me with a question I have. when I checked the bator today the eggs did not move as much as they have in the past couple of days

Is this normal or should I be seeing more movement???? I have been putting my ear net to the bator but don't really hear anything however it is really hard to hear anything over the fan so

Any help or explanation would be great THANK YOU.