How soon to remove a chick from the incubator after hatching?

[Joylime322]

How soon should I remove the little ones from the incubator?

 

[Joylime322]

@MGG @Kiki @007Sean

 

[007Sean]

@MGG @Kiki @007Sean

As soon as they have dried off and 'fluffed up'.

 

[LynnaePB]

I think it really depends on personal preference.

As for my personal preference I like taking my chicks out as they hatch. I worry about them jostling the other eggs around too much and I do find they dry off much quicker under a lamp or cuddled up in a heat pad set on low. My chicks also seem more content and calm when fluffing up in a little heat pad cave (perhaps because it more closely resembles being under a hen).

I also notice that my chicks are usually quite happy to start eating and drinking less than 24 hours after hatch (often around 12 or so hours). I like giving them the option as long as they aren't too unsteady on their feet (if they are I'll wait a bit before giving access to water).

I try to be around to make sure they don't leave the heat source while fluffing up. If I wasn't able to be nearby I might be more hesitant to take them out before they dry off.

 

[MGG]

I usually take them out about an hour after hatching, when they're starting to fluff up.
I usually try to leave the youngest in the incubator at all times until everyone has hatched though. That way they gain strength and encourage the unhatched ones. Once a new one hatches I remove the older one.

 

[Kiki]

I would never wait 24 hours.

We all do things differently.

I would wait until more hatch then move a group over to a warm (not too hot) brooder.

I don't know where you are or what your time is but I would probably move the hatched ones before I went to bed.