Hatching basket

[ShysCreations]

Thought I'd share a pic of a plastic coated wire basket I use in the incub. Our flock is small so we tend to have fewer eggs hatching at one time. My hatches are often staggered. Losing a couple chicks under the turner left me searching for a way to protect hatchlings while still turning other eggs. It may well have been on BYC where I first saw a hatching basket. I put the basket in on Day 19. It is tall enough they don't climb over, yet room for the fan/heating unit on the lid. I also use 2 hygrometer/thermometers you see at left. I found it helps to have a particular type of turner where the egg cradles are easily removed. Some turners are bearcats to remove the cradles without breaking plastic. I made a mini basket w/ lid for 2 eggs when I have more eggs incubating and need the egg cradles.

Oh, and the 2 little eggs...turned out to these blue mottled/mille fleur bantam cochins

 

[bel]

thats cool you were able to make room, and safer for the hatching chicks.

Mind if I ask what do you set humidity at for staggering? also do the eggs still incubating do ok with the high hatch humidity?
thanks,
bel

 

[ShysCreations]

Colorado is so dry, it loses humidity fast. I keep humidity high from 60-80 and hit the 90s when its hatch time. So the ones still turning do get pretty high humidity while other hatch. Doesn't take much to dry the membrane on the hatchlings leaving them unable to turn & zip out.

 

[bel]

Thanks I was wondering about it, I worry about suffocating them but it sounds like it can be done safely, definately worth looking into.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I divided my incubator in half with some hardwire cloth, and the chicks and ducklings were still hopping over it. How tall is yours?

 

[Rachelj07]

We have staggered hatches as well due to only getting 3eggs a day. Granted our hatches are only within days of each other. The humidity question...Our first hatch this year, the humidity ran a little high about 70 instead of 60-65....we had 100% hatch!

They say humidity is not as important being stable, as it is the tempature. About all I can say is awesome that it worked to have the basket, I might have to see if we can remove parts of the tray, so we can keep putting eggs in the bator longer.

Thanks for sharing