The Poultry Keeper

Birdxman · Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 32 Location: Lincolnshire

Can I ask 'In an incubator does it really matter if eggs are laying on their side or if the eggs are set 'pointy' end down?'----is there a consensus here please? Thank you

CP · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:41 pm Post subject:

I would think no difference whatsoever.

Ours has them laying on their sides & if you incubate with a broody hen they will be on their sides also. Wink

I assume that the ones pointy end down are just so you can fit more eggs in the incubator! Laughing

But I may be wrong about that. Rolling Eyes

mojo · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:47 pm Post subject:

chicken hatching normally ALWAYS have the eggs laying on their side cause thats how they lay...............its easier for them to turn them too............so dont worry either system will give you chicks if the eggs are viable........good luck let us know how you get on

Birdxman · Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 32 Location: Lincolnshire

thanks for that--yes I to thought it was better and made more sense that they lay on their side however the incubator instructions says eggs should be set on end (pointy end down) and because I was doubting that (using my own common sense) I thought I should just check. Will keep you posted and thanks for the interest.

vanessa · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1231 Location: Correze

You will, of course, get more eggs into a 'bator if they're pointy end down rather than on their sides Wink

ashley.crowther · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 367 Location: Shropshire, UK

Mine are on the sides (too hard to sit them upright) I have had 10 out of 12 (duck eggs) just candled tuesday so it works ok. Very Happy

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3202 Location: Monmouthshire

They must be on their sides for hatching though!

ashley.crowther · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 367 Location: Shropshire, UK

yes - you are supposed to take the thingies out of mine too (it has separator thingies...)

mojo · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:56 pm Post subject:

removing the dividers ashley thats so the chicks dont try to have a grand national in the incuby.................seriously i always remove the deviders when i stop the turning that way the chicks in the eggs can roll about like they do in nature

ashley.crowther · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 367 Location: Shropshire, UK

i do - three days before they are due to hatch (that's also when i turn the cradle off)

vanessa · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1231 Location: Correze

Same here

mojo · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

day 18 stop rocking day25 dump any eggs left unhatched

Birdxman · Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 32 Location: Lincolnshire

all went well (I guess) 14 eggs in there of which only 5 proved fertile--all hatched albeit one was after 23 days (not sure why)--Ive lost one (not the 23 day bird) We have 3 Derbyshire Redcap chicks and 1 Ixworth chick. Thank you for your views.

mojo · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 4:41 pm Post subject:

this time of the year quite often the coq fertility is down a bit(sorry i mean is less fertlie)...........i beleive that coqs need sun to produce the most fertile coupling................so do try again later in the spring