How long can newly hatched chicks stay in incubator?

[imacowgirl2]

Of COURSE our very first batch of eggs would start hatching a day and a half early while I’m in an unexpected business trip ! How long can baby chicks stay in the incubator? The first one pipped last night and was out of the shell and dried off this morning at 7:30 when my daughter woke up and checked on them. Is it ok to be in the incubator until tomorrow late afternoon/early evening? She can get most of their coop set up, but if possible I want/need to be home to help her set up the mama heating pad since we are doing a new configuration this time around…and I won’t be home until sometime between 4-7pm tomorrow.

 

[Cloverr39]

I'm not an expert, but chicks don't need any food for the first 3 days after hatching, because they're still absorbing the yolk, so I think they should be fine staying in the incubator until tomorrow.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Between 2-3 days.

 

[SilverBirds]

They can stay in the incubator without food or water for the first 2-3 days.

 

[SueT]

Yes it’s okay to leave the chick in all day. In fact, the motions/commotion made by the hatched chicks help encourage the remaining ones to keep pushing. They communicate with each other even before they are hatched.