First time hatching, should I take them out!?

[washxc]

Hey guys, this is my first time hatching eggs and I was extremely excited to come home tonight and find two chicks peeping like mad and running around the incubator! My question is, should I take them out? They're knocking all the other eggs around like crazy with their running around. (I have an old styrofoam hovabator with the eggs laying on their sides)

Thanks

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

step away from the bator. Do not open the incubator till they have all hatched or the first ones are 3 days old.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
You can take them out if there no other pips. In the future, do what I do!!! Cut up egg cartons!!! The hatched babes can't knock the eggs around that way. But if there are pips DO NOT OPEN THE BATOR.

 

[Ms.FuzzyButts]

Technically, you can leave them in for up to 3 days. I have hatched 4 times. First three times, I took them out as soon as they were dry. This time, I left them in till every one was hatched. But the main reason to leave them in, is to keep your humidity constant. Ups and downs are not good for the unhatched eggs. I saw no real difference in my hatch rate.

 

[washxc]

I appreciate your quick feedback. I didn't think I'd get in to this whole incubating thing. But there's something to be said for seeing things through the whole process, chicken to egg, to chicken. It's a real thrill to watch it all happen.

I'm hoping there'll be a couple more in the morning.

 

[Tala]

Ms.FuzzyButts :

Technically, you can leave them in for up to 3 days. I have hatched 4 times. First three times, I took them out as soon as they were dry. This time, I left them in till every one was hatched. But the main reason to leave them in, is to keep your humidity constant. Ups and downs are not good for the unhatched eggs. I saw no real difference in my hatch rate.

that pretty much.

I took mine out on the second day, when there was FIFTEEN running around in there ---- it was getting a bit over crowded!!! What I did was take the bator in the bathroom with me, set up a temporary brooder box with lamp and let it heat up while I showered, then I left the water running for steam and opened the bator in the steamy bathroom so I didn't loose the humidity and "shrinkwrap" the remaining chicks.
There were 2 pips at that time and both hatched the next morning, so obviously I didn't kill them!!

ETA:

I appreciate your quick feedback. I didn't think I'd get in to this whole incubating thing. But there's something to be said for seeing things through the whole process, chicken to egg, to chicken. It's a real thrill to watch it all happen.

I'm hoping there'll be a couple more in the morning.

Yeah there is. DH was not happy about me buying an incubator, but I think even he is being won over by the little fuzzy butts!! Instead of saying we have too many chickens, he's now saying "yeah, we gotta keep one of Queenie's chicks"