What is your method for incubation?

[JosieMaeChickens]

This is our 3rd time hatching eggs. The first 2 times were much more successful than this last time. The first 2 times I quickly pulled the chicks out after they hatched. I was worried about the chicks bumping the other eggs around and delaying them or causing them to not hatch. I understand almost every source says not to do that and to leave them until the dry (all have be healthy, no issue with me removing them.) This last time I tried doing it the “right way” and left the chicks in there much longer. However our hatch rate is much less than the first times.

I’m looking for y’all to tell me your experience... also ideas on hatching in egg cartons, or cut paper towel ring?

 

[cherrynberry]

This is our 3rd time hatching eggs. The first 2 times were much more successful than this last time. The first 2 times I quickly pulled the chicks out after they hatched. I was worried about the chicks bumping the other eggs around and delaying them or causing them to not hatch. I understand almost every source says not to do that and to leave them until the dry (all have be healthy, no issue with me removing them.) This last time I tried doing it the “right way” and left the chicks in there much longer. However our hatch rate is much less than the first times.

I’m looking for y’all to tell me your experience... also ideas on hatching in egg cartons, or cut paper towel ring?

Leaving them in for a few hours and taking them out right away shouldn’t really affect hatch rates. I personally like to take chicks out immediately, but that’s mostly cause they dry faster under the heat lamp. And about your other question…no experience on either, perhaps someone else could chime in.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

What incubator are you using? Do you have an egg turner? Do they turn upright side to side or roll?

 

[JosieMaeChickens]

What incubator are you using? Do you have an egg turner? Do they turn upright side to side or roll?

It’s a Little Giant still air. No egg turner. I turned them by hand 3-5 times a day.

 

[JosieMaeChickens]

Leaving them in for a few hours and taking them out right away shouldn’t really affect hatch rates. I personally like to take chicks out immediately, but that’s mostly cause they dry faster under the heat lamp. And about your other question…no experience on either, perhaps someone else could chime in.

Thank you.

 

[junior67]

I have a NR360 so my eggs sit on their sides in an egg turner. I remove the turner at lockdown. I don't freak about opening the incubator if an egg is pipped but I don't leave it open but will open it quickly. My broody was up off the nest to eat, drink and poop when hers pipped and they were fine. I let the chicks dry mostly in the incubator running, tumbling and bup

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...e-giant-incubator-for-hatching-success.75734/
I made this article if you want to check it out.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I do ducks not chicks but I also have the little giant bator
I add the rubber shelf liner to the bottom of my bator
Get mine at the dollar store
I also use it in the brooder over the puppy pads
It’s really helped mine with grip to walk
Also help the eggs from rolling to much and gives the ducklings much better support from slipping when starting to walk
I remove my babies as soon as they are up moving around 2-4 hours
They aren’t always dry but the heat plate does that I just want them mobile
I don’t worry about how many eggs are left to hatch
I go quick and it’s never caused issues

 

[JosieMaeChickens]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...e-giant-incubator-for-hatching-success.75734/
I made this article if you want to check it out.

Lots of good info!! I thought humidity was supposed to be 50-60% for the first 18 days. But you have it much lower? What percentage would you say this way?

 

[Yardmom]

Lots of good info!! I thought humidity was supposed to be 50-60% for the first 18 days. But you have it much lower? What percentage would you say this way?

50-60 is higher than most use for the first 18 days. I figure anywhere between 30-50%