Day 19 and one chick hatched

[Newbiegirl]

I am not new to having chickens but am new to using an incubator. We have had chickens for years but usually bought chicks from a hatchery or let a broody hen run her course. I have twelve eggs I started in the incubator and just took the turner out yesterday. Today is day 19 and this afternoon our first chick hatched. I am worried about leaving the chick in the incubator until day 21 to allow the other chicks to hatch. I was also surprised to see that one hatched today, is this normal? Any helpful suggestions, hints, tips etc would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Spongegirl]

what kind of incubator do you have?

 

[MySweetChickens]

was the temp high at some point it sounds like the incubator was too hot and that is why he hatched so early

if he knocks the eggs around too much i would quickly take him out even broody hens get up during lockdown or at least mine do

 

[Ellaluvsbirds]

Hi and

Using an incubator is a totally different story than letting a broody hen hatch them. You have got one chick out so far so that is awesome, even though he is earlier than expected. In the incubator do you have the eggs out of a turner? Are the eggs on "lockdown?" I would only let the hatched chick be in the incubator for 24 hours, after that you should put him in a brooder as the yolk that he/she absorbed will only last that long. I agree with MySweetChickens, the temperature might have been a little high at some point. I hope the rest of your hatch goes well and please keep us posted!!

 

[gimmie birdies]

just let them hatch by themselves, best part u do nothing!

 

[Newbiegirl]

The incubator is a Farm Innovators and I have a thermometer inside, the temperature has been at 99.5 very steadily. This morning I noticed three more eggs are about to hatch and others are showing movement. The chick is very active inside and has been laying near some of the eggs but does not seem to be bothering them. Yes they are on lockdown but I do think I will open quickly to remove the first chick today as I am nervous about leaving him in there until the others hatch.

 

[RussianChickens]

Same thing happened to me. Mine hatched on day 18! Same bator steady temp for the whole time. It even got shut off for several hours and they still hatched early.

Bator thing maybe. I have farm innovators pro as well. I'm going to be prepared this time!