12 hours until day 18 of incubating my eggs! Which means almost time for lockdown! This is my first time incubating eggs, and all is going well, I can see the chicks moving when I candle, the movement has settled down though. Tomorrow is the last time I will candle and turn them. But I have questions, also any advise is welcome!!
1. What should I keep the humidity at while in lockdown as well as the temp? It's at 101f now, and humidity is from 40-55%
2. When should I see them pipping? So far no signs but it's only day 17 1/2
3. When will I start hearing them chirp through the egg?
I'm so impatient!! I just can't wait! Any other advise about the lock down?
I, as usual, agree with Yorkshire on most everything. I will play devil's advocate though on one thing. I am one of those people who do NOT leave my chicks in the bator until the end of the hatch. I also do not worry too much about shrink wrapping other eggs as I keep my humidity 75%+ for hatch. I've assisted chicks before as well, which means opening the bator every hour or two during hatch to increase the chick's progress.
Everyone does things differently, it doesn't mean that anyone is wrong or right. Different things work for different people and different people have different comfort levels and one should go by what works for them and what their comfort level is. If you're not comfortable with how someone else does something than find your way of doing it. Some people will agree with you and some won't, that's the long and short of it. Sometimes you'll do something that will be the wrong thing or just not work. You take note and alter that action for the next time.
I'm a candle addict. A lot of people do not believe in candling the eggs frequently. A lot of people think it harms the eggs. Once I see growth I candle 3 or 4 different eggs every night to check for growth, to check my air cells and just to see that tiny life developing. (My last hatch was 13/16). I wash my hands before candling, I'm super gentle with the eggs and I don't keep them out an excess amount of time. It works for me.
Many people strive for 65% at lockdown. I strive for at least 75% This gives me plenty of room to adjust if I do need to open my bator. (It works for me.)
I do not assist with an chick unlessl I feel it is absolutely neccessary. (I understand that they need time to do their thing and letting things happen naturally is best.) But if I do feel it is necessary, I won't hesitate to help. I do not believe in NOT helping a chick in trouble. I do NOT believe that if they can't do it all by themselves then it wasn't ment to be. I assisted a malepositioned last hatch that would have never made it on her own. She is now a healthy 4 month old pullet. (And the object of lust for my roos.)
I don't open the bator UNNECCESSARILY after lockdown, but if I need to wet a sponge, (I use about three wet sponges in my bator at lockdown for humidity as well as filling my water wells. When I think it needs to be highered I just rewet the sponges.) I will crack it open pull out a sponge and wet it and replace. Once they start hatching the humidity usually jumps a bit naturally.
After they hatch- I like to wait until there is at least a couple or even 3 or 4 before I take the first ones out of my bator. They have to be warmed up and on their feet and active before I will pull them though. I prefer fluffing up to take place in the brooder. I also prefer them to have the ability to start eating if they wish. (Chicks CAN go 2-3 days w/o feed as they have the yolk to live off, but it doesn't take them long after being placed in a brooder w/food to start pecking.) I have my own reasons for why I don't leave them in the bator till the end, but the key is- it works for me.
Here's the thing with opening the incubator at hatch. When you open it, humidity escapes. Humidity is vital for chicks to hatch. If your humidity isn't high enough there is a CHANCE that the membranes can dry and shrink wrap the chicks that are in the process of hatching. Doesn't mean it will, doesn't mean it won't. The more times you open the higher that chance goes up. So, you have to weigh the risk with your comfort zone.
Listen and take in the advise of others, but don't feel guilty for doing something that works for you and the your chicks. Good luck on the hatch!
