Drying Down Immediately After Hatching

[centrarchid]

My kids and I have been splitting clutches to rear some of the eggs in incubator and some for hen-hatching. Incubator start was so both treatments hatched on the same day, or at least very close. Each time the incubator and hen has eggs from more than one clutch. Genetic markers (down coloration) allowed consistent accurate ID of parentage. We may be seeing where the incubator-hatched chicks dry out a lot slower than the hen-hatched chicks.

 

[ronott1]

My kids and I have been splitting clutches to rear some of the eggs in incubator and some for hen-hatching. Incubator start was so both treatments hatched on the same day, or at least very close. Each time the incubator and hen has eggs from more than one clutch. Genetic markers (down coloration) allowed consistent accurate ID of parentage. We may be seeing where the incubator-hatched chicks dry out a lot slower than the hen-hatched chicks.

Drying out is dependant upon the humidity level in the incubator compared to outside.

As each chick hatches, the humidity goes up in the incubator so they will dry slower then.

If you need them to dry out faster, chicks love to be blow dried

 

[GC-Raptor]

If you need them to dry out faster, chicks love to be blow dried

Never heard that before, made me giggle.
My Chicks are dry when I buy them. GC

 

[centrarchid]

Drying out is dependant upon the humidity level in the incubator compared to outside.

As each chick hatches, the humidity goes up in the incubator so they will dry slower then.

If you need them to dry out faster, chicks love to be blow dried

What about hen's feathers wicking moisture from chick down? We have been placing the chicks from incubator into brooder where they still dry slower than those under hens.

 

[ronott1]

Never heard that before, made me giggle.
My Chicks are dry when I buy them. GC

Sometimes hatched chicks will have goo on them-- especially if they are hatched from shipped eggs.

After washing them, blow drying keeps them for getting too cold. It is like a spa day for them!

 

[ronott1]

What about hen's feathers wicking moisture from chick down? We have been placing the chicks from incubator into brooder where they still dry slower than those under hens.

That is very possible!