Been busy, just getting caught up. I leave them for a few reasons. First, I experimented both ways and had higher hatch rates leaving them. I didn't do it enough to say 100% that leaving them is the reason my hatch rates improved, but they did so that's how I do it now. I don't want to risk pipped eggs by dropping humidity. Not saying that it would absolutely kill them, but I'm not risking it. The 24 egg Brinsea is less than half the size of a styrofoam bator, so I actually get less egg rolling by leaving the debris and chicks in there. There just isn't enough space for the eggs to get rolled everywhere. I would actually get more egg rolling if I took out the first 10 chicks that hatched and cleaned up the shells. I think the chicks that are out encourage the others to hatch. Amy does this by playing a youtube video (great idea), I just prefer to do it the natural way. The chicks also tend to pile up on and around unhatched eggs. This, to me, simulates a hen laying on them, again encouraging them to hatch. I like my chicks to be dry and fluffy before introducing them to the real world. Those are my reasons for leaving themGreat thread, I enjoy the humor and great reading, experience outweighs any book imo so keep them coming. My 1st bator batch are due to hatch this coming Monday / Tuesday. *feeling excited...
Question for both of y'all:
As mentioned, my fist hatching is due this Monday/Tuesday. So this question is really for my own edification and hopefully, help other newbies as well.
What are the pros/cons of taking a hatched chick from the bator into a brooder asap -vs- leaving them be (scflock) until day 21(or longest as possible).
Thank you.
p.s.
I took the blue pill.
