Ever hatch HALF a bator load?

Poultryprincess · Post by **Poultryprincess** » Mon May 23, 2016 10:31 pm

Sooooo I have this New Hovabator....but I really don't "need" to hatch another full load of Silkies.
I was thinking of doing "half" a load but there is that nagging feeling that since it holds 40 eggs I should put 40 eggs!

Do you ever just throw a hatch together & Not worry about it?

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Mon May 23, 2016 10:33 pm

Oh oh, just watch the enablers coming out to help you make the "right" decision

baronrenfrew · Post by **baronrenfrew** » Mon May 23, 2016 10:37 pm

Yeah right... That's like me drinking half a beer.

hayladee · Post by **hayladee** » Mon May 23, 2016 10:53 pm

heehee! such a waste of space in the bator....fill it up!!!

windwalkingwolf · Post by **windwalkingwolf** » Mon May 23, 2016 11:00 pm

I've set half a load twice this year, when the hens weren't laying all that well, I didn't want to let the eggs get too old. I HAD to hatch what I could :D But really, if you HAVE 40 eggs, and you're going to test out the new incubator anyway, I mean, what's 20 extra chicks? More to choose from for next year :) And they probably won't all hatch, anyway, so it's not REALLY 40 eggs :D

kenya · Post by **kenya** » Tue May 24, 2016 3:24 am

Fill her up! Ha! Ha! I have done small hatches for the same reasons WWW said, didn't want the eggs to get too old.

goatgal35 · Post by **goatgal35** » Tue May 24, 2016 7:14 am

My bator hold 600 eggs, so yes I hatch partial batches all the time. I like to see it full cause hey why waste hydro and space, but sometime I just don't have enough eggs:)

Post by **Killerbunny** » Tue May 24, 2016 7:54 am

All this next part is true and NOT denial. Yes I often hatch 2/3 a bator load. I use tabletop Styrofoam ones. Oh wait I have 3 of them so 3 x 2/3 is..........

Poultryprincess · Post by **Poultryprincess** » Tue May 24, 2016 8:57 am

hmmmm so maybe should just "fill er up"?!?!
I am worried about waiting too long.
Have 28 eggs so far....will see how many eggs come today.
( I am being picky. I'm ONLY collecting eggs from the Showgirls )
50% will be silkies anyway, but No eggs from the regular EE flock

Will be the second time using this new bator.
First hatch I was happy with...Exciting!!!!!

Bayvistafarm · Post by **Bayvistafarm** » Tue May 24, 2016 9:00 am

I would fill it if it were me. Seems half the time only half hatches anyhow. If I only filled it half, NONE would hatch. I should have locked down mine last night. Ran it a whole degree hotter this time. (house is cold). I've got 28 chicken eggs in it, and 4 guinea's. If the guinea's are good, they will be put in the brinsea for another week. I guess I will see what happens, lol.