Lockdown in AZ, I knew this was gonna be tough

[dretd]

Yay! Good luck!

It can take quite a long time ( a day or more) for the eggs to zip after the first pip, so be patient.

 

[ChickenLegs13]

The purpose of raising the humidity @ lockdown is to prevent the chicks from dehydrating. You can leave a chick in the bator for 24 hours without feed or water because they're still living off the yolk but baking for 24 hours @ 100* with low humidity is the recipie for chick jerkey. 50% is kinda low in my opinion so as soon as they dry off and start moving around I'd remove them and get them started on feed & water.
Personally I try not to open the bator while eggs are pipping & zipping but you can crack the lid just enough to reach in and quickly snatch a chick without causing any drastic changes.

 

[Joplus]

One hatched! So fast I wasn't expecting that. A Rhode island red.

 

[Joplus]

Omg another one! A BCM.

She's exhausted, I hope that's normal

 

[blucoondawg]

Yes they will be tired after hatching. The chicks can stay in the incubator for up to 3 days living off their yolks

 

[dretd]

Checking in with the progress. Any more new arrivals??

 

[Joplus]

Oh thanks for asking. I got 30 chicks!! I got 11 Marans, 12 buff orphington, and 7 Rhode island reds. This is my first time incubating and I didn't have a fan or turner so really shocked at the success. I let the breeders know since I really owe a lot of my luck on getting fresh healthy fertile local eggs. The buff breeder was telling me she gets 80% and I got 100% with the dozen from her. I also owe a lot to everyone who helped me on byc. I lowered my humidity to 35-40% from the recommended 50% and had my temp up higher like 101°-102° based on advice here. Anyway very grateful, thank you everyone.

 

[Joplus]

 

[Joplus]

Chick photo bomb

 

[HickoryHollow]

YeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

A true congratulations..........NICE HATCH!