Lockdown today. Questions

[moomee56]

Well this morning at 6:00 am the the eggs went on lockdown.

I have some quick questions. For one, what do you use for bedding? I heard that newspaper was too slippery, and that's what I was planning to use. What is a good litter to use?

and my incuabator instructions say that I should fill the water thing up two days befor hatch not three. What do you think?

 

[gavinandallison]

Humidity needs to be at least 62% for lockdown. no bedding, leave them on the wire ....... Temp no change....... Chicks are good for at least 24 hours on lockdown after hatching. some take them out when they are dry and add more warm water to keep humidity up......

once in brooder box i use newspaper in base covered with kitchen towel for 1st week, then pine shavings...... on my 3rd hatch and no problems so far.....

 

[HenPenny]

I was waiting for an anwer to your question. I went into lockdown today too. What are your hatchlings to be? Mine are Barred Rocks and Turks.

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

After hatching, chicks can be left in incubator for up to 36 hours. Mine are usually in there at least 48 to be sure all have hatched and are dry. Some people use a rubber mat type thing that you can line cabinets with, that has some holes, like to keep glasses from sliding.

Then I move them to a brooder bin. It is lined with paper towels for two days. I furnish finely ground chick starter and water with vitamins & electrolytes. After two days, they get pine shavings. Do not use cedar. And I continue with vitamin water for at least the first week or two. Then they go into the big brooder

 

[moomee56]

Okay. Thanks that all helped a lot!

I'm hatching silkies. They were shipped from Pennsylvania to here in California and only three or four out of seven are probably going to hatch if nothing goes wrong *knock on wood*

Pretty good hatching rates for my first time