Chicks piping on day 17? Egg turner still in?

[Mrsdills07]

I have 12 Silkie eggs on day 17 today. I was going to candle and take the egg turner out tomorrow, but my 4yo just alerted me that the chickens were "etching" or hatching. Thinking he was just wanting to see them I went to check and sure enough atleast one has pipped and chirping. The turner is still in there, Do I need to get it out and risk letting the heat/ humidity out? Or leave it? It doesn't seem safe for the chicks to walk around on it but I have been told not to open the incubator while chicks are hatching.

 

[bugglesmommy]

Your temp was likely too high if they are hatching this early. You need to turn that egg Turner off!

 

[Mrsdills07]

Its the same temp I have hatched my last 2 batches on, But they have been different breeds of chickens, if that matters? I have turned the turner off, but its ok to leave it in?

 

[bugglesmommy]

Are the silkies bantam? I have noticed my bantam eggs hatch a little sooner, but never day 17 soon! Have you calibrated your thermometer?

If they are currently hatching I would be very concerned about opening the bator the get the Turner out.

 

[Mrsdills07]

I'm not sure if they are bantams, the guy just said Silkie, the chickens I saw of his were small but I've read all Silkies are small anyways? We did calibrate the thermometers when we first got our bator which was just a few months ago. We have the one that came with it and a digital with humidity. And we had bought another non digital when we calibrated that has got lost since and they where accurate or very close.

The one I know has piped has now almost unzipped. I can't see the ones in the middle that great to check for pips.

 

[Mrsdills07]

We have one fully hatched black Silkie chick!! I don't see any holes in the others so far from what I can tell with the lid shut. Would it be safe to take the turner out now or still to dangerous with letting the heat/humidity out. I'm concerned the new chick might get its leg stuck or fall over those holes in the turner. Is it possible the rest of the eggs will still not come until day 20-21 or maybe later? Or since one is here now the rest will be soon if they developed?