New to this

[ksguinea]

I have a couple of questions. First at lockdown I'm assuming that you take the eggs out of the automatic turner, but do you need to continue to turn them? How long do you leave the chicks in the incubator after hatching?

 

[Sarafena1982]

I have a couple of questions. First at lockdown I'm assuming that you take the eggs out of the automatic turner, but do you need to continue to turn them? How long do you leave the chicks in the incubator after hatching?

I take mine out of the turner with the lowest end of the air sack up. You do not turn them at this time. I keep a 70 to 75% humidity at lock down so I remove the egg shell right after they are born to reduce clean up then wait tell they dry out before taking them out.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I have a couple of questions. First at lockdown I'm assuming that you take the eggs out of the automatic turner, but do you need to continue to turn them? How long do you leave the chicks in the incubator after hatching?

Yes take them out of the turner and remove the turner from the bator. You don't turn after day 18. Some stop before day 18 as it's not neccessary after day 14. If you candle at day 18 and mark the air cell you can get an idea of which side of the egg to face up so you can see when it pips. (Generally they pipp in the vicinity of where the air cell dips the most down the egg.) I also use 75% humidity to hatch because I remove my chicks as they hatch.

When to remove chicks is a personal choice. Many people wait until the hatch is over to remove chicks. Some just wait until they have a lull in the action. Others take them out as they dry. I remove mine (regardless of being dry) as soon as they are up and moving in the bator. I've had chicks get hurt in the bator on the fan kit and climbing around on my thermometers so I don't leave them in any longer than neccessary and I find they fluff better and faster under the brooder light.

The important thing is if you are going to be removing chicks during a hatch to keep your humidity up at least in the 70-75% and make sure after you've opened the bator it goes right back up. (This can be done by using a sponge and rewetting it. Or wetting a paper towel and tossing in there.

Good luck on your hatch!

 

[ksguinea]

Thanks. I appreciate your help. Had 80% success rate. Still waiting a couple of days on the other two. Just in case.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Thanks. I appreciate your help. Had 80% success rate. Still waiting a couple of days on the other two. Just in case.

That's great congrats!! And forgive me for not saying this sooner: