I know, easy question but - what is the max time for chicks to be kept in bator??

[littlechickenmama17]

Okay, this is an easy question and i know people say 48+ hours but what is the MAX time the chick can stay in bator? My chicks hatched Thursday night and they seem to be restless, meaning they go up to the cover of the incubator and squabble over each other to come (it's coming to me that they may just want to be with me, not hungry). This is an easy question I should know but all i can find are people saying the MINIMUM hours, not the MAX hours... HELP!!!!

 

[rascal66]

I'd say no more than 3 days. They need to start eating and drinking by then.

 

[MGG]

Okay, this is an easy question and i know people say 48+ hours but what is the MAX time the chick can stay in bator? My chicks hatched Thursday night and they seem to be restless, meaning they go up to the cover of the incubator and squabble over each other to come (it's coming to me that they may just want to be with me, not hungry). This is an easy question I should know but all i can find are people saying the MINIMUM hours, not the MAX hours... HELP!!!!

They should be moved to the brooder as soon as they've dried off a bit after hatching. Usually 2 or 3 hours.
I would NEVER leave them in any longer than 12 hours max. They need to eat and drink.

 

[James22martin66]

Okay, this is an easy question and i know people say 48+ hours but what is the MAX time the chick can stay in bator? My chicks hatched Thursday night and they seem to be restless, meaning they go up to the cover of the incubator and squabble over each other to come (it's coming to me that they may just want to be with me, not hungry). This is an easy question I should know but all i can find are people saying the MINIMUM hours, not the MAX hours... HELP!!!!

It's probably time to move them into the brooder and start giving them their feed and water. I haven't hatched chicks before bit I think they survive off the yolk for 48 hours then need food and water supplies. Don't just take my word for it, but I would move them to a brooder with chick crumb and water.

 

[rascal66]

I meant to ask, why are you holding them in there for the max amount of time? Unless its urgent and needed, chicks can come out as soon as they're fluffed up. That normally happens within the day they hatch.

A chick can survive on the yolk for 3 days. But I wouldn't push it that far unless it was an emergency. 1 - 2 days might be better, but 3 is pushing it.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

The longest mine stay in are 8 hours, if they hatch right after I go to bed. I take them out as soon as they are dry, even if they're not fluffed (as long as I have at least 2 hatched)

 

[littlechickenmama17]

Okay thank yall! I'm leaving them in because i worry that if i were to take them out too soon they would get too cold maybe not outside their bodies but inside... I know it's dumb but I've read somewhere about a person that had that happen - can that happen? I'm taking the chicks out today but is that scenario possible?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Okay thank yall! I'm leaving them in because i worry that if i were to take them out too soon they would get too cold maybe not outside their bodies but inside... I know it's dumb but I've read somewhere about a person that had that happen - can that happen? I'm taking the chicks out today but is that scenario possible?

Well if you put them in a brooder then they should be warm enough

 

[rascal66]

Okay thank yall! I'm leaving them in because i worry that if i were to take them out too soon they would get too cold maybe not outside their bodies but inside... I know it's dumb but I've read somewhere about a person that had that happen - can that happen? I'm taking the chicks out today but is that scenario possible?

If your brooder is set up with a heat lamp, that will keep them warm. If you're ever unsure, just get a thermometer and check the brooder temp. Unless its unreasonably cold in, I assume your house, your chicks should be fine while you transport them to their brooder. Only when you have them without heat for extended periods will you start to see issues.