How long does it take to fluff out? Help!

[chick4smiles]

This is my first hatch and two little ones popped out at some point last night.

They are still in the incubator. Another egg has pipped. The two chicks look wet and sticky, but are stumbling around a bit and chirping. I know the chicks can be left in the incubator for up to 72 hours, but with the humidity as high as it is, will they ever fluff out? Since I'm hatching, the humidity is around 70%.
Will they fluff out? Are they really ok in there? Sorry...I'm a rookie.

 

[thechickonthehill]

Yes, they will fluff out. It can take quite a while, depending on how "sticky" they were at hatch. I usually leave mine in the incubator for at least 24 hours. I like to be sure they are at least mobile enough to move themselves out from under the heat lamp, or under the heat lamp, in the brooder. I also try not to remove chicks from the incubator when I have pipped eggs still in there if at all possible as I worry the resultant drop in humidity from opening the incubator will affect those eggs. Good luck with the rest of your hatch. Sounds like you are off to a good start!

 

[chick4smiles]

Thanks so much for replying so quickly! Everything you say sounds exactly like what I've read for the last few weeks on this forum, it's just feels so different when you're actually looking in an incubator with live chicks in it! I'll leave them be, go to work, think about them constantly, and not get anything accomplished today!

 

[youngjedi32002]

I am so looking forward at being in your position! I have 4 eggs tucked tightly in a teeny incubator. My husband and I actually heard sounds coming from them last night and today is day 20! I have the brooder ready and I have read almost every post on this forum but this is my first hatch and I know when I have live chicks in my incubator, all my new found knowledge is going to drain quickly from my brain while I worry that I am doing everything wrong! Lord help me! Why did I give in to this!!! I have 4 healthy hens in a coop out back but my 9 year old had the brilliant idea to hatch eggs for a Cub Scout project! LOL (He actually didn't have to do much to convince me! I was looking up incubators and where to buy chicks in the area THE SAME DAY!) I am very nervous and very excited at the same time! Cannot wait mfor my first pip!!!

 

[ginormous chicken]

X2 Day 19 for me!