How soon after a chicken hatches should it go in the brooder?

[chickenphile]

Was wondering how soon should I remove a chick from the hatcher to the brooder after they have hatched? Granted I am sure they are not all going to hatch at the same time. My incubator is small and does not have much room for the chicks to walk around.
I am due for some chicks to hatch on the 23rd (hopefully) and want to be prepared.

thanks
Chris

 

[Mourningdove]

usually once they are totally dry, well after 12 hours old. Most people wait til they are a day old.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I let them have a good 24 hours in the incubator to dry off well and then move them at that time.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I have had to move them sooner (bad egg in bator) and they were all just fine. I think they were only four hours old when I moved them that time. But it is better to wait.

 

[chickenphile]

What about the rule no opening the hatcher? Will it hurt the other eggs that have not hatched if I remove the hatched chicks and put them in the brooder?

thanks
Chris

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

I never open mine during hatching. It usually hurts the eggs that havent hatched yet. Just the way I was taught.

 

[cheraboo]

Quote:
They're ok without food and water?

 

[Chicken Fruit]

They can spend up to 72 hours in the bator (3 days) I was told, if you want to wait for the rest to hatch out before you open it up and change your temps and humidity by it.

Chicks dont need food for the first three days of life. Thats how its possible to ship chicks.

 

[cheraboo]

Ahh ... good to know - thanks!