williamspencer98 Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 I'm incubating at the moment with 6 bantam eggs in the Brinsea Mini Eco (holds 10 eggs), as mine are only bantam eggs they're obviously smaller. So when I come to turn them I can't keep them still because they want to turn over again. Would it be harmful to the incubator and eggs if i put kitchen roll under them for the eggs to grip to because the surface at the moment is just smooth plastic? It's very fiddly to turn if i can't??!! Thanks-Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstie Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Hi Will, I don't see any problem using kitchen roll with the eggs. I have the brinsea mini, but the one that turns them automatically (I was worried I would forget to turn them - as if my excitement would have let me forget! )but from day 18 once it's stopped turning the eggs I put them on top of kitchen towels (which I have trimmed to fit its circle - sad I know!). I use it to help with the mess of hatching! Ha ha but also as it keeps the eggs relatively still without stopping the twitching that happens when they hatch, plus it gives the chicks something less slippy to stand on (I didn't want to risk any leg damage) as the brinsea floor is very smooth! Good luck with your hatch, when are they due? It's sooooooo exciting hatching and very addictive! Kirstie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Cleaning cloths are good, old fashioned J cloths with the proper open weave are really good Dont use anything too fiberous (eg dusters) as they can clog fans Kitchen roll is ok but it needs to be heavy textured stuff rather than the cheap smoother kind as chicks will just slip on that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf_space Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Hi Will, I don't see any problem using kitchen roll with the eggs. I have the brinsea mini, but the one that turns them automatically (I was worried I would forget to turn them - as if my excitement would have let me forget! )but from day 18 once it's stopped turning the eggs I put them on top of kitchen towels (which I have trimmed to fit its circle - sad I know!). I use it to help with the mess of hatching! Ha ha but also as it keeps the eggs relatively still without stopping the twitching that happens when they hatch, plus it gives the chicks something less slippy to stand on (I didn't want to risk any leg damage) as the brinsea floor is very smooth! Good luck with your hatch, when are they due? It's sooooooo exciting hatching and very addictive! Kirstie I do the same, can't see a problem with it good luck with your hatch! what breed are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamspencer98 Posted October 19, 2012 Author Share Posted October 19, 2012 Hello! Thanks for your brilliant info, I have a friend who uses kitchen roll because I put the eggs in the incubator on Wednesday night and it was my 1st incubator and they kept slipping around when I put them in so I was trying to think of a way to keep them still! They're due on Wed 7th November and they're Lemon Cuckoo Pekin Bantams. I had one before but sadly it suddenly died and it was so cute so I thought I'd replace it with some chicks of the same breed! I hatched with my broody hen last week but sadly the chick died Fingers crossed they're going to hatch! Could you tell me what you use to keep the newly hatched chicks in? I got a corrugated brooding ring but it has no base. I was thinking a large cardboard box? I have a heat lamp and special chick feeders and drinkers! I'm soooo excited! Thanks for your help, Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstie Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 A box would be a bit dark i think.I guess it depends on how you heat them, if you use a lamp with light then it may be ok - others on here will be better to advise on that. I bought an indoor rabbit cage after my first mode of housing failed to keep them in (a dog crate with cardboard round the sides to stop them coming out - little did I know that within 2 weeks they would be flying up and sitting on the sides of the cage and getting out!) the wires on the indoor rabbit cage are close enough they can't get out - its easy assess in to get them - mine had an electric hen for heat and they sat under and on it. I used little water feeders for chicks but then spent all my time removing sawdust from the food and water - they did also use hamster water bottles (I got them used to it as no mucky water, plus my omlet cube has a water drinker with the nipple bits for getting water from) and it was a large enough cage that they were able to stay in until they were big enough to go outside all the time. I also bought that table protector material - rubbery with ridges - and used that for the bottom of the cage - its brilliant as non slip but a bit of a pain to clean! Really good luck x I love Pekin bantams xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstie Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 Duh, I think I read your post wrong. I'm guessing you are going to use the cardboard for a base?! I've not used a brooding ring, but have seen them used on turkeys on an organic commercial farm - and they seemed to be a good idea. There are some really experienced people on here who can advise on that (and anything else!) I've found this forum really useful. I've only hatched twice (first time in an incy and the 2nd time with a broody) and I found it quite stressful the first time but any help I needed I found it here and now my only stress is thinking about which breed of chicken to try and hatch next - as it's very very addictive! Anyway enough rambling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf_space Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 We used a hamster cage for the first week, which was sufficient enough for around 5-7 bantam chicks, but you could keep them in there for longer if you had less. Then we move them to a homemade wooden brooder with a plastic sheet lining the bottom and bedding on top (so the chicks don't slip, and they love to scratch around in it). The chicks stayed in there with no trouble until they were 7 weeks old. I've never tried a brooder ring but I've seen they're quite popular. I'm sure a cardboard box will be sufficient however, I'd be wary of the fact it could get damp very easily. Why not have a look on ebay at second hand hamster or indoor rabbit cages I think you may be able to get them quite cheep and its worth the investment if you're thinking of hatching again. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 I use that rubbery non slip matting that you cazn buy for in cars. I buy rolls of it from £1 shops when I see it. I cut to the incy size & I also use it in the brooder for the first week or two, over the top of shavings - as the shavings hold th warmth from the electric hen. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
