Incubator lockdown?

[Sarahbethk]

..What is that?

 

[canada-goose]

This post should explain it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=5239123#p5239123

 

[NoseyChickens]

The last three days of incubation the humidity level needs to rise. So on day 18 (chicken) you add water to the incubator to bump up the humidity from 40% to 60-65% and you do not open the incubator until they are done hatching. You stop turning the eggs as well. If the humidity drops it can ruin your hatch. The membrane will "shrink wrap" the chick inside the egg making it impossible for them to move to get out of the egg or breath at all. I hope I am explaining it well enough

 

[Sarahbethk]

Thanks! That makes sense! So... what do I do when my chicks are all hatched?

 

[NoseyChickens]

Once they all hatch and are a dried out you can take them out and put them in the brooder under a heat lamp. They can be in the incubator for 48 hours and be fine. I have even heard up to 72 hours. Because not all of the eggs will hat h at the same time. It could take a day or two. Good luck!