Setting eggs on 3/7. Anyone else?

[MEMama3]

Did you put these in the incubator on the 9th? I placed mine in, and it's my first time hatching! I have a couple questions...
On day 18 you are supposed to put them on lockdown... Today is 18 and I'm doing this tonight. People talk about how they can tell there is an internal pip on hatching day, but I'm wondering how you tell because aren't you not supposed to open the incubator?
Also, is it alright to feed your chicks unmediated chick feed and when do I feed it to them?

Thanks!

You are right. Hands off after day 18 and don't open the lid unless 48 hours has passed since the first chick hatched (at that time you can put the ones that have hatched into the broader). Most people know they have pipped internally because you can hear cheeping from the eggs. You COULD candle to find out, but you risk not only lowering the humidity in the incubator,but also messing up the chicks' position in the egg.

As far a feeding, feed as soon as they go in the brooder. Free choice. You may want to dip the chicks beak in the water and place it near the feeder when you put them in. It shows them what and where their food is. Unmedicated is fine (I use it when I broody hatch), but most people use medicated for artificial brooding. Either is fine.

 

[ffachick55]

You are right. Hands off after day 18 and don't open the lid unless 48 hours has passed since the first chick hatched (at that time you can put the ones that have hatched into the broader). Most people know they have pipped internally because you can hear cheeping from the eggs. You COULD candle to find out, but you risk not only lowering the humidity in the incubator,but also messing up the chicks' position in the egg.

As far a feeding, feed as soon as they go in the brooder. Free choice. You may want to dip the chicks beak in the water and place it near the feeder when you put them in. It shows them what and where their food is. Unmedicated is fine (I use it when I broody hatch), but most people use medicated for artificial brooding. Either is fine.

Thank you very much! It's all cleared up now! I hope my hatch goes well 4 of my 11 are due this Friday

 

[Chick CJ]

This is all so exciting! Thank you to all who are sharing your experiences! I have a question: If it takes days to hatch all eggs, how many days do you keep lid on and not remove chicks? I have over 30 eggs in the incubator (due to lockdown on the 27th) and I am pretty sure it will take a few days for them all to hatch. Do I start removing chicks at some point before all have hatched?
Thanks.
CJ

 

[ffachick55]

This is all so exciting! Thank you to all who are sharing your experiences! I have a question: If it takes days to hatch all eggs, how many days do you keep lid on and not remove chicks? I have over 30 eggs in the incubator (due to lockdown on the 27th) and I am pretty sure it will take a few days for them all to hatch. Do I start removing chicks at some point before all have hatched?
Thanks.
CJ

I was having the same question because mine are spread out by four days. Based on what I have read and what others have told me, I am going to take them out when they are dry and ready to come out and hope that others won't dry out due to loss of humidity. Chicks can stay in for three days apparently and survive off the rest of their yolk. If you are going to open the incubator, do it quick or find a way to add humidity when opening it, we have chicks due Friday, and I am going to release steam from a teapot into my incubator when I take them out to reduce shrink wrap issues. I hope that helps, I am new to this... It's my first time

 

[MEMama3]

This is all so exciting! Thank you to all who are sharing your experiences! I have a question: If it takes days to hatch all eggs, how many days do you keep lid on and not remove chicks? I have over 30 eggs in the incubator (due to lockdown on the 27th) and I am pretty sure it will take a few days for them all to hatch. Do I start removing chicks at some point before all have hatched?
Thanks.
CJ

wait until the first chick is 48 hours old, then remove any that are hatched (if you are still waiting on some). If all have hatched within 48 hours, take them out when the last one is dry and fluffy.

 

[Chick CJ]

I was having the same question because mine are spread out by four days. Based on what I have read and what others have told me, I am going to take them out when they are dry and ready to come out and hope that others won't dry out due to loss of humidity. Chicks can stay in for three days apparently and survive off the rest of their yolk. If you are going to open the incubator, do it quick or find a way to add humidity when opening it, we have chicks due Friday, and I am going to release steam from a teapot into my incubator when I take them out to reduce shrink wrap issues. I hope that helps, I am new to this... It's my first time

It helps A LOT!! Especially the part about keeping the humidity up. I wonder how it works when hens are sitting on the eggs with the humidity? Something to learn about!
Thank you!
CJ

 

[Chick CJ]

wait until the first chick is 48 hours old, then remove any that are hatched (if you are still waiting on some). If all have hatched within 48 hours, take them out when the last one is dry and fluffy.

Okay, so after the first chick is 48 hours old, even if the others that haven't hatched aren't dry and fluffy I should remove them? I have 6 bantams (along with the 27 full size eggs) and I have a feeling they will come first, maybe even early.
CJ

 

[ffachick55]

It helps A LOT!! Especially the part about keeping the humidity up. I wonder how it works when hens are sitting on the eggs with the humidity? Something to learn about!
Thank you!
CJ

I'm glad, you just don't want there to be too much humidity because then they could drown. I don't have anything to keep track of humidity levels, so I just am guessing... So far they all look healthy, my hatch is Friday!

 

[Chick CJ]

I'm glad, you just don't want there to be too much humidity because then they could drown. I don't have anything to keep track of humidity levels, so I just am guessing... So far they all look healthy, my hatch is Friday!

Are you going to use anything to set the eggs in/on for hatching? I have read of different ideas like breaking up egg cartons and placing each egg in a cup or even making "cups" out of paper towels, that sort of thing. it keeps the chicks that are hatched from rolling around the ones that haven't yet. Plus it apparently makes clean up easier after.
Good luck on Friday!
CJ

 

[MEMama3]

Okay, so after the first chick is 48 hours old, even if the others that haven't hatched aren't dry and fluffy I should remove them? I have 6 bantams (along with the 27 full size eggs) and I have a feeling they will come first, maybe even early.
CJ

Only pull dry fluffy ones. The main point is that you don't want to keep opening the bator. At 48 hours pull the fluffy ones and then when the last hatch and dry, pull the rest. They may very well have all hatched in the first 48 hours.

Are you going to use anything to set the eggs in/on for hatching? I have read of different ideas like breaking up egg cartons and placing each egg in a cup or even making "cups" out of paper towels, that sort of thing. it keeps the chicks that are hatched from rolling around the ones that haven't yet. Plus it apparently makes clean up easier after.
Good luck on Friday!
CJ

I like to have mine laying on the floor. It's just my experience, but I find they hatch around the same time if their lightly touching. The movement in one encourages movement in the one next to it. They actually can communicate with each other when they touch.