First wave of chixks

[tennesseequail]

So I've hatched out 3 batches and it's getting better. This time looks to be about 60 out of 90

Quick question though. The initial opening of the incubator

I see conflicting advice on here. One group says do not leave new hatches in incubator longer than 6 to 10 hours

However another POV says to not open incubator til all are hatched

I cant imagine leaving the lil critters in there for 48 hours

 

[le_bwah]

You shouldn't leave quail in as long as some people leave chicken chicks because (as far as I've heard) their yolk doesn't sustain them for as long. Plus, a high-humidity incubator is a poor place to dry off. I pull chicks as soon as they're no longer plastered wet, and only as long as none are in the process of zipping (easier with a small hatch).

 

[rlchatham]

So I've hatched out 3 batches and it's getting better. This time looks to be about 60 out of 90

Quick question though. The initial opening of the incubator

I see conflicting advice on here. One group says do not leave new hatches in incubator longer than 6 to 10 hours

However another POV says to not open incubator til all are hatched

I cant imagine leaving the lil critters in there for 48 hours

I've done it both ways and can tell you that if you get too impatient and open the incubator to soon you will lose chicks. I wait 24 hrs. after the last chick hatches and dries and there is no apparent pipping or movement from the remaining eggs. This allows the newest chick to dry and gain strength. 60 out of 90 is impressive, but 'what if'... My last hatch I did this and removed the hatched chicks (27 of 40) and continued to incubate the remaining eggs. A full 24 hrs. later, I had three additional chicks. So, IMO, 6 to 10 hours is way too fast. I haven't lost any chicks or had any other problems either (knock on wood). So, they are all strong chicks. Key word, "Patience".

 

[le_bwah]

I've done it both ways and can tell you that if you get too impatient and open the incubator to soon you will lose chicks. I wait 24 hrs. after the last chick hatches and dries and there is no apparent pipping or movement from the remaining eggs. This allows the newest chick to dry and gain strength. 60 out of 90 is impressive, but 'what if'... My last hatch I did this and removed the hatched chicks (27 of 40) and continued to incubate the remaining eggs. A full 24 hrs. later, I had three additional chicks. So, IMO, 6 to 10 hours is way too fast. I haven't lost any chicks or had any other problems either (knock on wood). So, they are all strong chicks. Key word, "Patience".

In my small incubator, it takes a chick about 6 hours to fluff up most of the way—so most of my chicks get pulled out 6 hours after they hatch. I've never lost a chick doing it this way. Granted, my hatch sizes are small—with a larger incubator, it might need to be open longer to collect more chicks and thus lose more heat/moisture.

As long as you get freshly-pulled chicks into a warm brooder ASAP, I see no mechanical or biological reason why you would lose them more often than chicks that had sat in the incubator for a full day.

 

[Danny C.]

I started my bobwhites on 13th pm. Thought would hatch on 6th, nope 12 - 5/7, 8 - 5/8, 3 - 5/9 with 3 started to pipe but for some reason didn’t finish. Some have other fillings but I prefer to let nature take its course and not intervene. Yes I have another incubator running now scheduled to hatch in 10 days. I would like to know from experienced breeders whether I should have helped the ones that were 2-3 days late that would go in with others and be picked and pecked on by others which I think is cruel to do.

 

[007Sean]

Unless they are rare or expensive birds, I let nature take it's course.

 

[tennesseequail]

O . Well first wave hatched 4 days ago and im.getting new ones every day still...I'm lost. Every morning there is more never seen.a hatch stretch so long