Two hatches, one incubator... how do I handle lockdown?

[tarbios2]

Hello all--

Here's my situation... I ordered 2 groups of eggs from two different sources. One set arrived a full day before the other, and after resting, they started incubating about 24 hours apart, in the same incubator.

As of tomorrow, Group A will be on day 18; Group B will only be on day 17. BUT, according to the incubator instructions, I must turn off and remove the turner on day 18, ramp up the humidity and go into lockdown. Which would be fine, except... that means Group B would be in lockdown too, since I only have the one incubator.

- So what do I do? I've read about people moving their hatches to the brooder at this point, but I can't guarantee the humidity (and I live in California's Central Valley which is dry as a bone, so I'm guessing the total lack of ambient humidity would likely be detrimental).
- Is locking down at day 17 a bad thing? The humidity would be at 65% and the eggs wouldn't get turned (unless I did it manually).
- Or is splitting the difference and locking down at, say, day 18 & 1/2 and 17 & 1/2 doable, or is it too late for one and too early for the other?

Any advice?

SIDE NOTE: The air cells appear to be correct size developmentally, but most all of them (naturally) are saddle cells. Just throwing that info in there, in case it makes a difference.

 

[Fuentes Farm]

I actually just had a similar situation. Mine where three days apart. You be fine a day doesnt matter : )

 

[happyhens1972]

For future reference....you would be far better storing one set of eggs for a further 24 hours and then setting them together. As long as the eggs are stored in a cool place and turned a couple of times a day, they will be fine.

But for these, I would go for shutdown at the earlier date and give the other set an extra day without turning. At this stage it is unlikely to make much difference but you will obviously end up wth a drawn out hatch.

 

[tarbios2]

Thank you both! Lockdown starts this afternoon. *nervous!*

 

[HeatherFeather]

It'll be ok I have drawn out hatches all the time, cause I'm doing multiple breeds, and our amibient temp fluctuates...stuff like that. Once a hatch took 4 days. ack. If you need to get some chicks out cause you think they've been in there too long (more than 24hr) do it fast and put damp warm paper towels in their place. Its not the act of opening the incubator that is detrimental, it is the act of losing humidity that is.

If you can acheive one without the other, it doesn't matter if you open it. But its nearly impossible!! I use a hovabator and I have removed the caulk on one window. I can pull the window aside, and slip my arm in there, surrounded by a damp towel to block the rest of the hole. I've done this to turn eggs which were a full 2 weeks younger when I had an emerg hatcher failure. Twice. And it was successful both times. I've also just slid my arm in, removed nearly day old chicks, 'helped' an egg that is stuck in pip ect. and popped ini a damp paper towel. Just have to watch the rh. I also mainly hatch ducks, which might be less fussy than chicks. not sure. so take what i say with salt!

h

 

[tarbios2]

The paper towel idea is a great one! I'll be sure to do that. My first hatch was in a homemade incubator and was a dismal failure. This one is in an official incubator with a turner, and my hopes are higher but I'm super nervous. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on! Thank you for the buck -up. :^)