New to hatching. I have a few questions.

[mrsheimfarmsok]

Okay so I'm on day 13 of incubation of 24 eggs. I'm maintaining good humidity 40-50%, and Temps. I've candled, all seem viable. I had 1 that had the "ring of death" and I discarded. So....as I hopefully approach hatch day my concern is my turner. I've read to not let them hatch in the turner and to stop turning at day 18.
1. Currently my eggs are fat end up. When I take them out of the turner will that negatively affect the chick inside ? Will it just naturally settle?
2. What if some of the eggs are more "behind" or ahead of others? If I stop turning will my late bloomers be ok?

Next situation.
As it would ironically happen, 6 days after I set my eggs in the incubator one of my hens went broody. Yay!!!!! So I have questions now about this. I've successfully had a hen hatch 1 chick before but it's been a long while ago in a different coop. I think what happened is several eggs hatched and the other chickens ate the other babies......but I'm not sure. I found shell....but no chicks except the 1.

1. So with that said....closer to day 21 do I need to separate my broody hen?
2. Is she eating and drinking? Do I need to put water and food in the nest box?
3. My nest boxes are up high.3 ft off the ground. If chicks hatch I fear them plunging to their death.

Sorry this is long. It just seems like egg hatching is soooooooooooo flippant that I'd like to be prepared as possible.

 

[Jetblack2004]

Everything you're doing sounds good so far!

1) I don't think it matters how the eggs are sitting when you take them off the cradle. When I do, I put the eggs on their side. They normally pip in the right place and everything is fine!

2) I always take the eggs off the cradle on day 18. The ones that take longer to hatch are still perfectly fine. If they are set on the same day, you can take them off the cradle on the same day. It will be fine- I'm sure of that.



1) I always separate my broody hens when I first put them on the eggs. I'm sure the hens and cockerel would kill them and the chicks could stray from the mother hen, get too cold, and die.

2) Put a small bowl of water and food in front of her. Most hens get up and go and eat anyway, so you probably don't need to encourage her.

3) It's a bit dangerous to have the chicks up high because, as you say, they could fall to their deaths. If you can, move her into a nest lower down. Then there's less risk of the chicks death.

Good luck!

-Jet