Newby question: What is lockdown?

[EdistoChicks]

I have been reading tons of posts. There is a lot of mention of "lockdown". Is that when the eggs need to stop being turned? Help!

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Lockdown is when you raise the humidity, stop the turner (or turning) and leave the bator alone for three days, or until hatch on day 21.

 

[gckiddhouse]

Yes, that is right. The first 18 days, you turn the eggs and then you don't for days 19 - 21 (or beyond) while they are positioning for hatch. Also, you turn up the humidity. That is a big reason for "locking down". If you open the incubator, the humidity can drop dramatically and be detrimental for the unhatched chicks. It mimics what a mother hen would do. She doesn't get up or turn her eggs for the last 3 days.

Good question. One that I had, myself, not too long ago...