Two More Days Until Lockdown! Tips?

[CHlCK3N]

I'm about to go on lockdown with approximately 30 eggs fertilized and ready to hatch in a few days. Any tips on what we should do during lockdown or after lockdown? I want this hatch to be almost perfect!

 

[venymae]

What kind of incubator are you using again?

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Have you candled to make sure none are duds or quitters? Make sure you candle before lockdown! A bad eggs CAN explode. Is your brooder set up? You have starter feed? NutriDrench and/or electrolytes for any chick that needs help?

Now, for the big question: Are you prepared to perform euthanasia for any chick that MAY need it?

 

[CHlCK3N]

What kind of incubator are you using again?

What kind of incubator are you using again?

Little Giant Still air incubator 9300!

 

[CHlCK3N]

Have you candled to make sure none are duds or quitters? Make sure you candle before lockdown! A bad eggs CAN explode. Is your brooder set up? You have starter feed? NutriDrench and/or electrolytes for any chick that needs help?

Now, for the big question: Are you prepared to perform euthanasia for any chick that MAY need it?

Have all that set up! Forgot to remove duds, though. How would we preform euthanasia?

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Candle again on day 17 or 18, before they go into lockdown. Get rid of duds. You really don't want them in the incubator during lockdown.

Go to the search bar and type in euthanasia. I do not recommend any certain way, as it is very dependent on your own ability to choose a method YOU are comfortable with.

 

[venymae]

Candle on day 18
Remove any obvious duds
Mark the lowest spot on air cell, this is where the chick is most likely to pip
Lay eggs flat with marked spot UP
If air cells look good, add water to up humidity to around 60%
If air cells look small, wait and do this day 19 or as soon as you see a pip
Drop incubator temperature .5-1 degree
Close the lid and DON'T OPEN IT AGAIN!
Wait for cheeping and pipping, zipping, etc.
Acquire hot tea, cookies, and a comfy chair
Glue yourself to incubator window for hours
ENJOY THE HATCH!

 

[Smuvers Farm]

If your humidity drops or anything doesn't look *right*, you CAN open the incubator again... it's not going to harm the eggs. Just don't leave it sitting open... and do whatever you need to do inside the incubator as quickly and safely as possible.

 

[CHlCK3N]

Candle on day 18
Remove any obvious duds
Mark the lowest spot on air cell, this is where the chick is most likely to pip
Lay eggs flat with marked spot UP
If air cells look good, add water to up humidity to around 60%
If air cells look small, wait and do this day 19 or as soon as you see a pip
Drop incubator temperature .5-1 degree
Close the lid and DON'T OPEN IT AGAIN!
Wait for cheeping and pipping, zipping, etc.
Acquire hot tea, cookies, and a comfy chair
Glue yourself to incubator window for hours
ENJOY THE HATCH!

Awesome! Super stoked-I already have a comfy chair in mind to use when I watch the little chooks!

 

[CHlCK3N]

If your humidity drops or anything doesn't look *right*, you CAN open the incubator again... it's not going to harm the eggs. Just don't leave it sitting open... and do whatever you need to do inside the incubator as quickly and safely as possible.

Thanks for the tips! Super hyped for the first day of hatching!