"Lockdown"?

[SethRiddle]

This is my first attempt at incubating eggs. All of the literature says to "lockdown" the incubator for the last 3 days to retain proper humidity levels. So, they're due to hatch on Monday night. So, my question is, do the last 3 days include hatch day, or is it 3 days prior to hatch day? Should I lockdown tonight, or tomorrow night?

Thanks for any help.

 

[lazy gardener]

You could do it tonight, or tomorrow morning. Fortunately, hens don't know what lock down is. I think we make it more difficult than it needs to be. Happy hatching!

 

[SethRiddle]

That was kinda what I was thinking too. Just wanted to be sure it didn't really matter...

 

[My chickadee]

I have a question... I got ahead of myself and did the lockdown Monday 17th night instead of Wednesday night, 19th. I've been real careful not to let my homemade foam incubator go over a 101 and it is forced air. I'm wondering if I should turn off the fan and open air vents? Fearing inside egg temp is too cool. They still haven't done anything yet and its 10pm est. on day 21. I had a bad dream they hatched while I was asleep and feathers wear melted to them because the fan evaporated the humidity during the night. Yes, this is my third but only full term clutch. TGIF Again, should I turn off the fan and open some vents?

 

[cluckerkeeper]

What's the humidity in there? You want it at about 65 percent give or take a little. If it's close, don't open the vents and especially not if any have pipped.

 

[My chickadee]

The humidity is between 61 and 70%

 

[My chickadee]

The trouble is I can't hear anything because of the fan.

 

[cluckerkeeper]

That's perfect. Now you wait. Fingers crossed for you

 

[My chickadee]

Thank you! This really is an art. My hats off to all of you! The wait makes me restless. Can you really hear them peeping? Also, I noticed something... Can they position themselves to where the big end is up instead of laying flat?

 

[cluckerkeeper]

It's fun and it's addicting! Those babies do all sorts of things at lockdown. Some peep, some rock and some don't move at all and you are SURE nothing is going to hatch and then... Bam you have a pip and the rest is history.

Enjoy!