remove chicks after fluff or wait until they have all hatched?

[beckim5]

This is my first hatch and I am absolutely clueless. We're not "due" until the end of the month. I know I need to "lock down" the 'bator on day 18. My question, though, is if I'm supposed to remove the chicks after they've fluffed if the rest of them haven't hatched yet, or do I wait until they have ALL hatched and fluffed before I open the 'bator? Thank you, thank you, thank you for your wisdom!!!

melanie

 

[texaschickmom]

I'm in the middle of my first hatch and everything I've read on BYC says to NOT open the incubator to remove chicks if you have other egss that have pipped or in the process of zipping. The loss of humidity at that crucial time could cause problems. I've got 14 chicks running around in mine, several are dry, but I've got a few that are pipped, one I can see in the hole it's made. So they're just staying put for now. They'll be fine in there for a day or two if necessary.

 

[pax12]

I say wait so you dont hurt the rest of the hatch.

 

[nifftiness]

I was wondering if you need to slip in food and water after a certain period of time. I have my first hatch, today is day 20 and I have one hatched, 4 have tiny holes started and some havnt started. If it takes more then 24 hour should I give the hatched ones food and water, or take them out?

 

[CCourson05]

Quote:
They don't have to have food for 2 days after the hatch due to the ingestion of the yolk. So no... Just wait for the other eggs..

 

[Jessiewoodard57]

I wait till the 3rd day. By then all but a few of my eggs have hatched. My last hatch I took out 35 chicks the last 3 never hatched.