Question about lockdown

[dandydoodle]

How long after you see an egg rock before you usually go into lockdown. My broody was sitting on eggs and they went under her on different days in a week span of time. My EE was sneaking her eggs in when she would go to the bathroom. So after the first two babies hatched out my broody decided she was done and the others might not be due to a couple of days later this week. I put them in the incubator today because, she stopped sitting on them. I think I saw one of the eggs rock ( unless my eyes were playing tricks on me ) When would you go into lockdown. How long before lockdown do you usually see an egg rock. Any help would be appreciated, I don't want them to die because, my broody decided she was done.

Thanks in advance,
Michelle

 

[Glenmar]

Candle them and see if they look ready. If the chick is taking up most of the egg inside, I would lock them down.

 

[dandydoodle]

I don't know how to candle.

I have tried before and never managed to see through the egg. I only have a regular flashlight.

 

[Glenmar]

You need to be in a dark room..

 

[seminolewind]

Well if 2 hatched already out of the bunch, they need a bator with high humidity and about 100 degrees, and no more turning.

 

[dandydoodle]

Can it be done with a regular flash light?

Quote:

 

[dandydoodle]

OKay my problem is I put two under her to begin with. Then over the next week my EE was sneaking her eggs under her when she would go to the bathroom. The 3 that haven't hatched are the ones she was sneaking under. So I don't know exactly how many days she has been sitting on these guys. So with this situation what would your suggestion be?

Quote:

 

[Ukiah]

Quote:

Yea, a regular flash light will be ok. You can see through light colored eggs
pretty well, even with a dull flash-light. You'll need a pretty powerful light for
dark colored eggs. Just go into a dark room, shine the light under the egg
and whatever you see, describe it here

Heres some pictures for help

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=261876

I've been in a situation like this before. What did I do? I locked down when I heard peeping.
I had a really good hatch rate, to.

 

[dandydoodle]

If they are only about 16 or 17 days do you think I could go ahead and put them in lock down? I will try and candle.

 

[dandydoodle]

Would it hurt if I quit turning them at this point? Will it cause them to stick? If it won't I will just quit turning them and keep it closed and raise the humidity.