Did we mess up the hatch?

[Southern Gardener]

Were we supposed to remove the chick from the bator after it dries? Does this affect the other eggs if the bator is opened? We had another pip in one egg at 12:30am and this morning there is no change. Are we supposed to leave all of the hatched chicks in the bator until all eggs hatch? Thanks!

 

[Goose and Fig]

I take my out after they dry. Just open it really fast and take them out, close it back up. I heard this is a big no-no, but as long as you keep the humidity up....
I even took out some late hatchers for a second to candle. Saw internal pips & put them right back. Now they're hatching.

Haven't had any problems because of it. You have to figure that a hen would occaionallly get up if a chick wandered off. I think you'll be ok- just make sure it's damp enough in there.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

Quote:
Yes, I think most everyone recommends you leave them in until they dry. Opening the bator quickly to remove chicks while eggs are still hatching is fine, IMO.

I have taken mine out as soon as they hatch, blow dry them, and stick them in the brooder. My other eggs behind that has always hatched (NOTE: I have only hatched twice though-but with great and above average hatch rates for shipped eggs) I open my bator way more than most probably do. My eggs still hatch, even if they have pipped and I open it. I did put in a wet sponge though to help raise humidity since I was opening it during hatch. That seems to help. I do staggered hatches too so that is why I take them out asap. They all are just fine the way I do it though.

If you can hear your pipped egg peeping then he is still OK, you can also see the pip moving a little too at times while they are trying to wiggle out of the shell. Sometimes chicks take over 24 hrs to hatch. I have heard people on here say they have taken days....

 

[beepbeepinajeep]

I think most will say not to open the bator until they are all done. Mine yesterday that were fully dry were trying to peck the turkins (naked necks) pretty badly, so I took them to the brooder and gave them food and water. With food to peck at, they stopped pecking each other. I can't stand to hear that pain chirp.

 

[Southern Gardener]

Thanks everyone - good to know. The bator I have is the Brinsea R-com - the 3 egg one. It doesn't tell the humidity level so I have no idea if it's correct or not. I haven't heard the chick that's in the bator yet and have seen no movement this morning. Hope all is well. . .