Need help and hatch along forum quiet (please someone answer?)

[SoORchick73]

First time hatching in an incubator. I know opening it up before they all hatch is a no-no but I'm a first timer and I'm finding it hard to believe that all 18 eggs I put in there will hatch. I did candle them throughout incubation and not a single one looked bad on lockdown day (which I'm also feeling may be my newbie-ness). As of 4 hours ago we are on day 21, and 6 have hatched so far and I can at least see a pip in another one. I'm using a brinsea octagon 20, so I'm adding humidity as needed to chambers. In the morning if all haven hatched can I remove some of the "older" chicks and put them in the brooder, or is it really best not to open it at all? In case I have some late eggs, or quitters I don't want to leave chicks in there waiting for nothing. When do you transfer out when you have this many eggs? It's looking a little crowded in there but they are managing. And this was SO much fun! Appreciate it if anyone can answer me. I'm not getting any luck on the hatch a long forum probably because it's the weekend. Thank you.

 

[SoORchick73]

And this hatching business with chicks is contagious! We went 12 hours between first chick and second and now they are all popping out like crazy. Some must have pipped where I couldn't see because I leave the room and come back and there's a new one. We are at 7 babies now...

 

[QueenMisha]

I use an Octagon 20 as well. I always open the incubator and take out any chicks once they are fully dried, never had any problems with the remaining ones.

 

[moonflowerfarms]

Yeah, I also open mine every once in a while. If I have a bunch of chicks in there that are trampling all over the others, I will open and take them out. I've also had a spate of small end pipping that I have had to help with. And so I've opened it to help them. When I have some that haven't pipped long after the others have, when I open to take out chicks I will put them up to my ear to listen. If they are alive in there, then they will be cheeping. I find that that is a good indication of if they are alive, and doesn't take long. The reason people say not to open because they don't want to drop the humidity too much. I have found that if you put in a moist sponge and open and close it quickly then they're just fine.

 

[SoORchick73]

Oh thank you! good suggestions! my boys will be so happy when they wake up

ps there are NINE now!

 

[SoORchick73]

10! and two more with tiny pips

 

[QueenMisha]

10! and two more with tiny pips

Congrats! There is no better feeling than having new babies. I have 9 due on the 28th, myself.

 

[SoORchick73]

I don't know if anyone is reading this but updating anyway just because it's so exciting haha - now there's 11 with another one pipped. I am 4 hours into day 22. It would be awesome to wake up to the remaining eggs hatched on Easter Day I am going to MISS these little buggers til the next hatch day! This could be addicting....

 

[SoORchick73]

Congrats! There is no better feeling than having new babies. I have 9 due on the 28th, myself.

Are you posting your results? I'd like to follow!