You don't "have" to have two different. A hatcher just allows you to bump the humidity for hatching without worrying about the other eggs. Typically this is for larger scale poultry raisers. I would bet that the vast majority of people on BYC hatch in their incubator like I do without any problems at all. The only difference in a hatcher, is probably that the racks are deeper and they do not turn. To keep the chicks from jumping or falling off the shelves. -Kim
Quote:No, any incubator can be used as a hatcher. A hatcher has no turner, a higher humidity, and doesn't get opened from day 18 until the hatch is complete. A lot of us will start new eggs every week so when they hit day 18 they come out of the bator and into the hatcher. There are professional models of incubators and hatchers but that is a little different.
You don't have to have two. Check out this thread. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=109675
Since I only will hatch one group of eggs at a time... my incubator will become my hatcher.. just remove the egg turner and raise the humidity...
