urgent q about leaving hatchlings in 'bator

[chickpeaz]

Ok, so we just had our first chick hatch and two more are pipped, out of 12 eggs. I'm hoping more pip/hatch tonight and tomorrow. I know you're supposed to leave them in the bator till they're dry and fluffy and warm, but what's to keep them from knocking about into the other eggs? Will that hurt anything? I'm trying to look at this from a natural perspective -- in the nest, some would be hatching and moving about under Mama Hen while other eggs are still cooking, so it must be ok, right?

We're leaving to go out for supper shortly and I hate just leaving this little one in there all by herself, but I have to trust that she'll be ok (and so will the other eggs). Wisdom and experience is appreciated.

 

[Katy]

The longer you can leave the lid on the incubator the better for your remaining eggs. As far as them knocking the other eggs around, that's why I hatch in egg cartons....the unhatched eggs don't get bumped around. Under a broody hen the eggs are nestled down in the nest and don't get knocked all over.

 

[chickpeaz]

good to know for next time, but for now -- will the eggs be ok?

 

[Katy]

As this point in time I'd leave things as they are. Her chirping will encourage the remaining chicks to hatch....and if you open it up to take her out you'll lose humidity that the unhatched eggs need. There are plenty of people who hatch with the eggs just laying on their sides and get good hatches....I just like doing it the other way because I personally get better hatches that way.

 

[TerriLaChicks]

The eggs will be fine. Go enjoy your meal. There is so much going on inside of those eggs!--more movement than you can shake a stick at--the less you open your 'bator at this point the better it will be for all.
& congrats on the first one out!

 

[joebryant]

Lock the door behind you and don't go into the room for two days.
Repeat after me,
"I will not interfere or open the lid for at least two days."
"I will not interfere or open the lid for at least two days."
"I will not interfere or open the lid for at least two days."
...

BTW, mine are supposed to hatch in five days. Please remind me that I said this.

"I will not interfere or open the lid for at least two days."
"I will not interfere or open the lid for at least two days."
...

 

[chickpeaz]

Quote:

Thanks -- I needed that! It can't help that my homemade bator has no lid...just a full-front plexiglas door that shows me everything that's going on inside. I can see every little wiggle and twitch and it's driving me crazy, scrutinizing each little thing!

I'm off for my dinner date (it's hubby's birthday) -- must pay much affectionate attention to the man who made these chicks possible.

Thanks again!