Would you recommend hatching in an egg carton?

I have had much better hatch rates using egg cartons than not. I did have one chick who pipped at the bottom of the shell, but that seems to have been where the air cell was. It was the end of the hatch, and I was pulling out the few eggs that didn't hatch, to toss them. When I picked that one out of the carton, it peeped like crazy at me! I nearly dropped it, it startled me so! Anyway, I helped that chick out (he was half dry already, and READY to get out), and he was fine.

 

I have done it both ways and I seemed to have the same results. So I guess what ever you prefer. Don't use cardboard cartons though because they will soak up water. Maybe you could experiment and do half in cartons and half on the grate. You also could put some kind of rings around the eggs so they won't roll around too much.

 

It's the only way I hatch anymore. I use paper cartons and haven't had any trouble with them soaking up the water and getting wet. My hatch rates are much better with the cartons than without.....plus clean-up is easier!

 

I hatch in egg cartons, and I prefer it. I can't stand the eggs getting rolled around-it stresses me to no end. I don't have that problem with egg cartons, and I find it is a much cleaner hatch also. Just the way I like to do it............Different people have different opinions on this.

Paula

 

Used them once, I'm gonna use them again... but I'm going from cardboard to foam this time.

 

I hatch in cartons or use the LG or Hova turner trays to hold
the eggs in an upright position.

You are gonna get strong opinions on this subject. I tried it
both ways in the same bator with the same eggs and had a
much higher hatch rate with cartons.

 

I do it!

 

If you hatch in an egg carton is there any reason not to hatch in the same trays we set the eggs in on the Sportsman. You know those plastic 48 slot universal incubating trays? I have been told that with shipped eggs and somewhat tremulent cells that if I hatch with the cell up I should have better success.

I am considering leaving them in the trays.

Anyone had bad experience with this?