Incubator unplugged over night--temperature down to 70 and humidity to 75%

[MySweetChickens]

lockdown is usually done on day 18

 

[peytonbagg]

Alright so day 18, or later?

 

[scflock]

Alright so day 18, or later?

Are you asking if you should lockdown later because of the temperature drop? If it were me, I would still lockdown at day 18

 

[peytonbagg]

Yes, because @JJSS89 mentioned they may hatch on day 22. My apologies for the naivety, I'm a first timer!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

What people call "lockdown" is simply stopping the turning of eggs. That can actually stop on day 15. The humidity increase done on day 18 "lockdown" is just what happens in nature as the hen feels the chicks moving into position so doesn't leave the nest at all for last few days. For that increase I up to just under to 60%RH on the nose. That may sound a bit low but as they pip and hatch your incubator will get out of control with high humidity, easily hit 75% plus, and that in my experience causes for sticky chicks with difficulty maneuvering in shells to zip or shell pieces still stuck to them after hatch. I actually quickly lift the lid a few times to get it back to 65% if they start all popping out at once.

 

[JJSS89]

Most people go lockdown at day 18. For full size chickens, I go at Day 19. For bantams, I definitely go 18 because my d'uccle and seramas come out on days 19-20 often.

 

[scflock]

Most people go lockdown at day 18. For full size chickens, I go at Day 19. For bantams, I definitely go 18 because my d'uccle and seramas come out on days 19-20 often.

Good point. My d'uccle always pop out on 20.

 

[JJSS89]

Good point. My d'uccle always pop out on 20.

I've got 15 due in 5 days. I am a sucker for those fluffy cheeks.

 

[scflock]

I've got 15 due in 5 days. I am a sucker for those fluffy cheeks.

I have had them hatch under a broody, but this month was the first time I have ever incubated. I love being able to handle them from day 1. They are so sweet and tame

 

[JJSS89]

That's a mottled chick on the left correct? I've been developing a line of MF for a few years (slow going) but I am buying some porcelain soon.