If the chicks are day 19 can I candle them? QUICK need answers:)

[piccolini]

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I have- When I first started hatching, I would check on the eggs all the time- I didn't know of this forum. Several of my eggs would get to just around lock down time and become shrink wrapped. The ones that hatched were very sticky and didn't fluff up like they are supposed to. Since finding this forum my hatch rates have gone up quite a bit.
soooo...
I wouldn't do it if I were you. I learned my lesson the hard way

 

[Mystic Farms]

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I have- When I first started hatching, I would check on the eggs all the time- I didn't know of this forum. Several of my eggs would get to just around lock down time and become shrink wrapped. The ones that hatched were very sticky and didn't fluff up like they are supposed to. Since finding this forum my hatch rates have gone up quite a bit.soooo...
I wouldn't do it if I were you. I learned my lesson the hard way

x3 not safe after lockdown for these exact reasons and that's not made up - maybe the term lockdown was made up but if you ever watch a hen, the last few days she won't even get up to eat! Good luck with your hatch! let us know how you make out.

 

[txhomegrown]

I think that lock down was "made up" with the vain hope that it would help people with no self control let nature take it's course.

And to make sure of a good hatch, candle your eggs every time you turn them.

And while you are at it give them all a good shake to make sure the chicks stay awake!

 

[Mystic Farms]

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Then you can make scrambled chick/egg for the rest of your flock!!

 

[mkeawsh]

humidity... humidity... humidity.... I wouldn't do it.

 

[Cass]

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[BigDaddy'sGurl]

It is my opinion that "lock down" can be over rated. Do hens in nature suddenly develop the ability to profusely sweat to increase humidity? Do they sit stock still for three or more days without moving an inch to "stop turning"? Also, if the egg is not pipped externally yet, how exactly will one or two minutes to candle harm anything, including causing shrink wrapping? We all read on here how we should float test and leave eggs that are not pipped in warm water for SEVERAL seconds to see if they move, but one day later we gasp if someone takes the still un-pipped egg and shines a flashlight on it?

I'll be honest. The only problem I've had with humidity has been AFTER the initial pip. I have had problems with ventilation and turning, and once in a while a chick will not be in the right position to pip, but that is rarely the fault of the handler in my opinion because a mother hen can't keep new hatched chicks in the nest from moving unhatched eggs around.

I will say though: if I were going to candle, I would not wait PAST day 19 because after that there may be pips you can't see until you open the incubator, and in an artificial hatching situation...aka incubator...it's best to go with tried and true methods...and once there are pips, the danger of shrink wrapping does increase each time you open the lid.