Backyard Fowl Keepers

Hey everyone!

I just got a shipment of 30 eggs I ordered online, but unfortunately, over half of them arrived broken.
I’ll be getting a replacement batch next week, but here’s my dilemma:
can I add the new eggs into the incubator with the unbroken ones that I’ll already be incubating?
The new batch would be about 4 days behind the first group.

Would this cause any issues with temperature, humidity, or hatching later on?
I’m really new to incubating eggs, so I want to make sure I get this right.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

BackyardBanter wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 4:51 pm Hey everyone!

I just got a shipment of 30 eggs I ordered online, but unfortunately, over half of them arrived broken.
I’ll be getting a replacement batch next week, but here’s my dilemma:
can I add the new eggs into the incubator with the unbroken ones that I’ll already be incubating?
The new batch would be about 4 days behind the first group.

Would this cause any issues with temperature, humidity, or hatching later on?
I’m really new to incubating eggs, so I want to make sure I get this right.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Yes, you can add eggs to the same incubator, but staggered hatches can be tricky.
When the first batch starts to hatch, the humidity needs to go up.
This could impact the second batch.
If possible, use a separate incubator for hatching to avoid this issue.

Here’s what you can do to make it work:

If you have access to a second incubator, use it as a hatcher.
When the first batch reaches Day 18, transfer them to the second incubator.
Where you can increase humidity without affecting the newer eggs.

If you only have one incubator, you’ll need to find a balance.
When the first batch hatches, some moisture from the chicks might raise humidity naturally.
But you’ll still want to increase it slightly for their benefit.

The newer eggs might not develop perfectly in this environment.
But it’s better than letting the first batch struggle during hatching.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

I think, adding new eggs to an incubator that’s already running isn’t uncommon.
But it does add complexity.
As others mention, the issue can be managing humidity.
Eggs in lockdown require higher humidity to hatch properly.

If you have a second incubator, you can use it as a dedicated hatcher for the first batch. Just transfer them over at Day 18 and let the new batch continue incubating in the original setup. If you don’t have that option, you’ll need to compromise and carefully monitor humidity and temperature. It might not be perfect, but many people have had success with staggered hatches. Just be prepared for a potentially lower hatch rate on the second group.

Adding new eggs to an incubator that’s already running isn’t uncommon, but it does add complexity.
The biggest issue is managing humidity.
Eggs in lockdown require higher humidity to hatch properly.
Which might negatively affect the second batch.

One solution is to use a second incubator as a hatcher when the first batch reaches Day 18.
If you only have one incubator, be prepared for a lower success rate for the newer eggs, but it’s still worth a try!

The issue is primarily with managing humidity during the hatching period.
When the first batch reaches lockdown,
the humidity needs to rise to 65–70% to help them hatch.
For the newer eggs, this higher humidity isn’t ideal and could affect their development.

Yes. The main challenge is the difference in humidity levels needed during lockdown for the first batch.

You'll need to increase the humidity for the hatching eggs, which isn't ideal for the newer ones.
If you can, move the first batch to a separate hatcher when they reach Day 18 to give both batches the best conditions. If that's not an option, you might still have success, but keep a close eye on temperature and humidity levels.

Consider waiting to incubate the new batch until the first group hatches. This ensures optimal conditions for both sets and avoids unnecessary complications.

Mixing batches can work if you're careful. Candle the older eggs at day 10 to check development, and adjust the incubator settings slightly to accommodate both groups. Monitor closely!