Hello Everyone!
This is my first time incubating eggs! Technically it was my parents endeavor but I have been home from college and seemed to be the only one interested in researching the best incubating/ hatching tips! We've had chickens several times but never incubated any eggs (we occasionally had a broody hen).
Anyway, I was wondering about staggered hatch dates and possibly shrink wrapping the hatching chicks. Most of the baby eggs were put in on evening 1. Then the next day my dad added 4 more in the afternoon. And on afternoon 3 he added 4 more. At first I didn't think it would be too much of a problem since they were still relatively close together but now after doing some research certain things trouble me.
Since you are not supposed to open the incubator once the eggs are put in lockdown, what should I do if the chicks from evening 1 have hatched and dried already while the others are in the process/ have just pipped? I am afraid if I open the incubator to take out the chicks and their egg shells I will risk hurting the still hatching ones. But if I wait too long the chicks from evening 1 will get thirsty and hungry (won't they?)
Thank you so much for any help or suggestions!
Sophie
This is my first time incubating eggs! Technically it was my parents endeavor but I have been home from college and seemed to be the only one interested in researching the best incubating/ hatching tips! We've had chickens several times but never incubated any eggs (we occasionally had a broody hen).
Anyway, I was wondering about staggered hatch dates and possibly shrink wrapping the hatching chicks. Most of the baby eggs were put in on evening 1. Then the next day my dad added 4 more in the afternoon. And on afternoon 3 he added 4 more. At first I didn't think it would be too much of a problem since they were still relatively close together but now after doing some research certain things trouble me.
Since you are not supposed to open the incubator once the eggs are put in lockdown, what should I do if the chicks from evening 1 have hatched and dried already while the others are in the process/ have just pipped? I am afraid if I open the incubator to take out the chicks and their egg shells I will risk hurting the still hatching ones. But if I wait too long the chicks from evening 1 will get thirsty and hungry (won't they?)
Thank you so much for any help or suggestions!
Sophie