Lockdown questions - Beginner 1st Hatch

[Littlebitofsunshine]

Hello, I have my first batch of chicken eggs in a Little Giant Still air incubator. I put them in April 4th at 5pm.
My first question is do I wait until 5pm today (day 18) to start lockdown or anytime during the day?

Second question. I took the auto turner out last night and turned the eggs at 11 pm, then 6am today. Can I turn the eggs two more times today before 5pm lockdown or do I leave them alone?

Thank you so much. This is our first hopeful hatch and I have learned so much from these forums. Oh and the eggs are a variety of Olive Egger, Cream Legbar and Blue Laced Red Wyandotte from a local farm.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You can lock down any time. Actually any time from day 16-19. You don't need to turn any more. Turning is most critical during the first 2 weeks. Those eggs won't hatch early unless the temperature has been high throughout. I wish you luck, I've hatched some in Little Giants but I've also had lots of disasters in them, mostly from wild temperature fluctuations.
Have you candled? Just make sure you have plenty of water in there before you lock down unless you have a means to add water without opening the incubator.
Welcome to hatch-a-holics anonymous.

 

[Littlebitofsunshine]

Oh thank you so much! I appreciate all the tips and info. I heard some horror stories about the little giants also! I ended up borrowing it because I bought a circulated air incubator and ordered mail order eggs... got all those eggs late so I borrowed this one since I thought they needed in asap! Anyways... fingers crossed. Yes! I candled several times and from 27 eggs we have 19 that developed. I last candled at day 14! Soooooo excited.
I will share a few videos if I can! I shared a bunch on my Instagram too @cassandraknep

 

[Littlebitofsunshine]

Thanks everyone for the info. Yesterday was day 21, we had 1 hatch yesterday, 3 so far today and 5 pipped. We have 19 eggs total so, hoping the rest hatch and do well.

More questions....

How long is it okay to leave the fluffy hatched chicks in the incubator? I know we shouldn't open the incubator because the other eggs have pipped and I know they are fine for a while but it's been 28 hours for one and obviously will be longer for the others as time goes on.


Plus any other first hatch advice welcome! We have Olive Eggers, Blue laced red Wyandotte and Cream Legbar in there.


Thank you!

 

[Vantic]

A chick draws in the yolk just before it hatches. The yolk will provide all the nutrients it needs for three days, so you can leave it in there that long if necessary to let the other hatch.

 

[Littlebitofsunshine]

A chick draws in the yolk just before it hatches. The yolk will provide all the nutrients it needs for three days, so you can leave it in there that long if necessary to let the other hatch.

Thanks so much!