How long can hatched chicks be left in incubator?

Thanks again for the replies and reassurance. I'm an anxious hatcher at the best of times, and the thought of not being here for those first few that may hatch....

No early pips so that's good. Will post an update when we get back.

Have a wonderful and fun weekend!

Returned home on Sunday to find 6 healthy chicks bouncing around the incubator. Realised Saturday afternoon that we had forgotten to cover up the finger hole at either end of the grate, holes are there to enable ease of lifting grate I guess, but unfortunately they are just big enough for a baby quail to fall through into the water below. Realised this the first time we used it when one hatched while we were out and had fallen through, but lucky for it we couldn't have been adding enough water and the reservoir was dry. Unfortunately not the case this time as my brother had already been and filled it. Rang him to go back and cover the holes but unfortunately the first chick had hatched and drowned.

Anyway, ended up with a further 4, with the last two being breech in their eggs and requiring an egg-section. One of those was not looking good yesterday as it had badly curled and slightly splayed legs and wasn't eating or drinking. We were nearly going to cull it, but decided to wait until today, thinking it would possibly die overnight. Woke this morning to find it's toes had straightened out and legs are only very slightly splayed. It's running around eating and drinking. Very small, but looks like it's a survivor. The other one, while thriving, has curled toes and possibly ankle and/or leg problem on one side only. Have tried a couple of times to splint it but no success yet. Will try again today.

Thank again for all the reassurance. Won't be so nervous if there is a next time, although try very hard not to go away when chicks are due to hatch.