early hatcher

[cmelancon89]

I have 2 duck eggs and 20 chicken eggs in the incubator due to hatch in 2 days. Today I noticed one of my duck eggs pipped. I know you are not supposed to open the incubator until they are all hatched and mostly dry, but this guy may be quite a bit ahead of the others. How long can he stay in there after he hatches? I don't want to open the incubator too early and hurt the others. Thanks.

 

[BantamLover21]

Chicks/ducklings should stay in the brooder at least until they are mostly dry. However, they can stay in the incubator longer if you don't want to disturb the other eggs. If it were me, as long as the duckling doesn't hatch right this moment, I would wait until more of the eggs have hatched before opening the incubator and quickly removing dry chicks/ducklings.