How long do I really stay out of incubator?

[hmurphy984]

Ok, so I've read that once a chick hatches, you still don't need to remove them from the incubator for 24-48 hours once hatched to allow all the rest to hatch. My first hatchling has been hatched just over 24 hours now, and happened quick. Two more followed just as quickly and will be hitting 24 hours today. I have 3 more that have now pipped, but are definitely moving slower than the first three. It is taking every ounce of willpower I have NOT to open this incubator, as I think this is why I ended up not having further hatches last year. But I worry.

The three already hatched are kind of a bit wild and moving about in there, resulting in the other eggs being moved around. Is this going to make it harder for them because of positioning and being moved?

Also how long can I really hold off with keeping those earlier hatched in there before getting them food/water?

And, what if they are trying to "help" the others (by help I don't mean actually help but they are pecking at the other eggs).

Do other people find they have such a wide window of when hatching happens? Is there something I should do differently? They all went in at the same time, and all had same conditions being in the same incubator.

Thanks in advance!

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I take out the chicks when they are dry. Add some more water when you open the incubator.

 

[Jack3291]

They can stay in there for about 2-3 days after hatching and you can take them out if you do it quickly and fill some more water in there.

 

[Chickensandhorsesforlife]

I take out the chicks when they are dry. Add some more water when you open the incubator.

Yes, I would wait untill they seem strong

 

[Jack3291]

Are you sure that the eggs were collected on the same day?

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I don't want chicks pooping all over in my incubator, simple as that.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

I pull mine out as soon as they are dry and put them on shavings under a heat lamp where they have plenty of room to move under or out from under it to get their perfect temperature spot.

I have actually lost some chicks to other chicks breaking necks accidentally by flopping all around in the incubator while another is hatching. It depends what kind you have and how much they can move around. Everyone has their own philosophies- but I have not lost any chicks pulling them out within a few hours.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Are you sure that the eggs were collected on the same day?

It doesn't matter if the eggs were collected on the same day.

Do you know if there are cooler spots in the incubator? Those chicks will take a bit longer to form and hatch

 

[turkey girl 0964]

Thanks for starting this thread!

 

[hmurphy984]

It doesn't matter if the eggs were collected on the same day.

Do you know if there are cooler spots in the incubator? Those chicks will take a bit longer to form and hatch

It is a still air incubator so that's totally possible. I'm actually not really happy with it in general so this is likely the last time I use this incubator. I got it back when I was first starting and "didn't know any better" really. The longer I have it and more I use it, the more I realize it kind of stinks. I'm giving a bit longer, keeping fingers crossed that we get a few more hatching.