What to put in the bottom of incubator for easy cleaning?

[avance09]

I am really really new to the whole incubation process! I have been thinking very hard about what I could put my eggs in so that it won't be such a mess after the hatch. I've been reading on the internet that it can be really messy and I am sort of a perfectionist with my stuff. I like to keep my stuff in really good condition. I've also read that scrubbing the incubator can eventually wear on it so I want to try not to have to clean it that way.

I have a Little Giant still air incubator with an egg turner. The eggs are due on Tuesday. I only have three eggs, 2 silkies and an easter egger. All seem to still be alive. I have a hygrometer and thermometer inside. I've been keeping the temperature around 99 to 100 and the humidity around 45% to 55%.

This is my very first time incubating eggs so I hope it goes really well.

Let me know if anyone has any ideas on what to do for an easy clean up. I know you can by liners for incubators but I don't have time or want to spend money to order one.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I have the same bator, without the turner. I incubate and hatch in paper egg cartons. Alot of people cut holes in the bottoms of the cups, but I haven't noticed a difference either way.
I just throw the carton and rest of the mess away when I'm finished. Occasionally there are a few small shells that escape, but they're easily rinsed out.

I've found I get better hatches running the humidity around 25-30% the first 18 days. Then I raise it to around 60% at hatch time. I also run my temp at about 101.5-102 since there's no fan. The idea is the center of the egg is cooler than the top, which is where my thermometer sits to read temp.

Anyway, you may just have to play with different temps and humidities, but a dryer hatch has really helped me. Especially with my Silkies. Good luck, happy hatching!

 

[Jan's Happy Hennery]

Hi, my eggs are due to hatch in the next few days - quick question....my incubator has formed 'holes' on the circular tray you place the eggs for turning, etc. Should I remove this tray now and replace with a non-slip material?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.
(First time using incubator as my broody passed away last year...she was 9 yr old bantam).
Jan,
Scotland.

 

[JudysMuscovy]

I line the bottom of my incubator with shelf liner the type that has the little holes in it. It works great, the eggs don't roll around like crazy and chicks getting stuck is not an issue. I have re- used it also, I just throw the liner in the washer along with the towels and sponges I used during hatching. Its the kind of liner that some guys use in their tool box/ works great!

 

[JudysMuscovy]

Hi, my eggs are due to hatch in the next few days - quick question....my incubator has formed 'holes' on the circular tray you place the eggs for turning, etc. Should I remove this tray now and replace with a non-slip material?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.
(First time using incubator as my broody passed away last year...she was 9 yr old bantam).
Jan,
Scotland.

yes, you should remove the turner and just lay them on bottom of incubator you can lay a towel down or shelf liner, once they have internally pipped you can add water and lockdown - try not to open once they start hatching, and keep the humidity up at least 70%

 

[Ren2014]

I line the bottom of my incubator with shelf liner the type that has the little holes in it. It works great, the eggs don't roll around like crazy and chicks getting stuck is not an issue. I have re- used it also, I just throw the liner in the washer along with the towels and sponges I used during hatching. Its the kind of liner that some guys use in their tool box/ works great!

X2 works great for traction on ramps also.

 

[Jan's Happy Hennery]

Thanks folks, I'll keep you posted! The joys of motherhood!

 

[Boopisit]

X2 works great for traction on ramps also.

Is it the rubber shelf liner non slip?

 

[Island Coppers]

Boopisit,​

Welcome to BYC.

This thread is rather old. But to answer your question, yes. Most of the stuff is made with some latex like plastic that's soft and kind of sticky