HELP

[jessijoa]

My incubator lost power for 2 hours on hatch day< we are 36 hours in and have only 3 chicks. The membranes are white on the pipps and Im afraid they lost too much moisture, the chicks that have hatched are getting anxious and hungry, I am afraid to open the incubator to let them out, what should I do?

 

[foreverlearning]

The already hatched chicks can last up to 3 days off of their yolk. I prefer them getting food and water within 24 hours though. You could reach in quickly and put them in a brooder. Don't give up on the eggs still in there, there have been many with the same problem that had great results because they didn't give up. If there wasn't enough humidity, then when they hatch you may need to moisten the membrane for them. To do this you just wet a rag and put it over top long enough to transfer the moisture but don't leave it on there. Some people also have late hatches. Keep watching them, you may be surprised.

 

[red horse ranch]

After the chicks have dried and fluffed up I will open the incubator just enough to quickly reach in and get the chick. I keep a spray bottle of warm water handy and will spray a couple times in the incubator, trying not to spray directly on the remaining eggs. I've had chicks hatch on the 23rd day when I was about ready to pull the plug.