what is "LOCKDOWN"

[ChickenLane]

What is this lockdown I keep seeing can someone please explain what and when this is needed

 

[bahamas]

the period of incubation between day 18 and day 21 when eggs start to hatch. t is at this point nooone is to open up the incubator.

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Lockdown is, if you're hatching chickens, day 18 of the incubation period. This is the day when you up your humidity and stop turning your eggs. You sit on your hands and wait and DO NOT open that bator! Hence the word lockdown.

 

[920utlaw]

So You cant open up the incubator until all the chicks have hatched?

 

[ChickFila]

Yes!
Never, ever open the bator!!

 

[micmse]

Do you begin the morning of day 18 or the evening so you don't open it on 19, 20, or 21?

Thanks,
Stephanie

 

[Chickhick]

My Mini Incubator with automatic turner stops turning only 2 days before the hatch. Should I over-ride that and stop it from turning when it is 3 or 4 days before the hatch?

 

[I'mACountryGirl]

Would some of you out there with more experience incubating go into a little more detail on lockdown?

When can we open the incubator...after day 21 or after all chicks have hatched, which could be a day or 2 later?

What if some chicks hatch day 19 and others not for 2 or 3 days...do the first chicks need to be removed for food and water?

How can you tell if a chick needs assistance hatching, and if you determine that he does, how do you do that without opening the incubator?

What humidity level for those last 3 days?

Do we change the temp at all?

Do you recommend forced air to help dry the chicks, or does that cause hatching chicks to dry out too soon and stick to shells - or does it matter?

Anything else you can think of...Thanks so much for your help!!

 

[ranchhand]

I hate saying go look at this link, but there are enough questions her that it warrants a trip to the Learning Center. And the FAQ in the Index.
The Learning Center is the link in the middle of the page up top, and the Index is in the blue bar above.

To try to tell someone about hatching would be like writing a book, that's why I recommend seeing what's already been written and then narrow the questions down. Happy hatching!

 

[I'mACountryGirl]

Thanks!! I will go check out all the threads there - I'm new here and sometimes forget to look past the forum....