My very first chick ever just hatched!

[SilkieSensation]

I run staggered hatches (chicks hatching every few days) & have never had a problem with chicks dying from bacteria due to being the last to hatch. I also open my bators to get chicks out. If done quickly it's usually fine. If you are worried about losing humidity, take a spray bottle of HOT water & mist the lid of the bator before closing it completely. Only open the lid as far as absolutely necessary & close it as quickly as possible. DO NOT spray the eggs directly unless they are ducks & none are pipped. It is best to wait for as many chicks to hatch as possible before moving them, but not always possible with late hatchers or staggered hatches.

 

[Kelownachickens]

Two more hatched overnight and two more are peeping out of the small hole they have pecked!

 

[Kelownachickens]

Thank you for all the great info! I love this site!

 

[lhawes]

Woohoo... I am a newbie too. We have four in the lockdown incubator and so far 3 have hatched. They were put in lockdown on 11/14 and due to hatch on 11/17, so they were all early!! The last one is taking it's sweet time for sure. I am waiting for the three to finish fluffing up and might be moving them to the brooder if the other one doesn't catch up soon. Still debating on if I want to open the incubator or not since I see mixed feelings on that...

 

[Crafty-Duck]

Congrats

it's always so exciting when they are hatching!!!! I'm always a bundle of nerves though

 

[Kelownachickens]

I agree, this is addicting! I want to do some turkey eggs now!

 

[lhawes]

Our 4th one is finally starting to pip through!! I can say I have been a bundle of nerves this whole time. I keep going and checking temp, humidity, activity of chicks that have hatched, and eggs that are waiting to hatch.