How long does it take new chicks to dry?

[buckaroo's wife]

I have 18 eggs set to hatch two weeks from today. I candled today and saw movement in 17/18, so I feel like that is pretty good! I work full time M-F, and I'm just wondering how long the newly hatched chicks can stay in the incubator (in case they start early and hatch on friday??) I just hope they stick to my schedule, HAHA

 

[galanie]

They can stay in there almost 3 days. They only take a few hours to dry so you can take them out sooner, but don't worry one bit about leaving them in there too long if you're only at work.

 

[buckaroo's wife]

Quote:
Ok, whew! I know they won't eat or drink right away so I thought they might be ok....but do they move around much (and disturb other hatching eggs??)

 

[galanie]

They will all but play football with the other eggs but I don't think it hurts anything if they do. In fact some say that it might make the others hatch better. Sort of a "hurry up!"

 

[buckaroo's wife]

HA! I'm a first timer (could you tell?!

) and this waiting game is driving me nuts! I have two weeks to go!

 

[koakritters]

this is my first time too, and i've got until next sunday for mine to hatch!!! the wait is killing me, lol!

 

[SusanG1969]

I had 4 of 12 hatch successfully. Naturally under a broody Rhode Island Red. Once they hatched, she abandoned the last 3 eggs. I left them for 2 days and was going to throw them out. Then 1 started chirping at me. I put them in a box with a heat lamp. It's almost finished hatching, but still has the cord attached. 1 of the eggs wasn't fertile (after candling), and I'll leave the last egg a few more days to see what happens.