i'm getting close to the lockdown period. pictures with incubator : https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/955735/safe-distance-between-lightbulb-eggs/10#post_14878836 not sure what are the final steps. 1' should i remove the autoturn grate entirely ? or i should it stay there ? i separate egg "chambers" with plastic wire. or i should just stop the motor and thats all ? 2' should i take you the chicks (hopefully i will have some) as soon the feathers are dry, or should i keep them there ? i know i read i should keep them there, but i presume it will be a mess, they will move, and maybe disturb other egg from their position, rest of broken shells will make a mess in there ...
As long as the eggs are lying level and have enough wiggle room when the chicks hatch, they'll be fine for hatching. If there is a risk of the chicks injuring themselves on the "chambers" in there, I'd remove those though. Chicks are good at getting themselves into trouble. You can leave the chicks in the incubator for a few hours after hatch, or remove them as soon as they've dried off completely, up to you and how easily you can get the humidity in the incubator up to the required level again. Good luck with your hatch!
and one more question. auto turn is not perfect. egs are marked with lines. so i may have 30 with one line up 20 with the same line down. on day 18 should i manually make sure that every egg is on the same mark ? or i should leave them how they are ?
I'd remove the auto turner. Lay eggs on side and I put down a layer of paper toweels to make clean up easier. Humidity for hatching should be 60-65%.
I don't think the lines will matter, take the auto turner out. Lay eggs flat. You can take chick's out once they are dry, but like mentioned above you want to restore heat and humidity as fast as possible. This is a time where the least amount of intervention the better. Even though we all know we get excited and want to get them out. Remember chicks can live for 72 hours on nutrients absorbed from the yolk after hatching. The rest is your call, if they look safe, and there is room for future hatches then I'd leave them be. If I looks like it's getting cramped or the chick's are pecking or bothering un hatched eggs, then take them out.
i took out autoturn grate, i manage to get humidity at 65. first pip. ~12 h early i think, but i've made some mistakes during this days (one time unfortunatley temperature was over 39 for 5-10 minute) so i'm rather pesimistic . still hope everything is ok in the end.
