When chicks start to hatch?

[Strader]

I'm building an incubator next few weeks and wondering how to move the baby chicks from there egg turner tray to the bottom hatching area without a total heat loss? if you open the door on an incubator don't you loose all heat or most of the heat?
would it be best two have two or three small doors? maybe not a big deal if I move chicks and shut door quickly? when they start to hatch on day (19-20)
thanks I'm taking about (20) designs and making my own incubator next week. have all parts now, digital thermostat, dual fans and dual heater elements, GQF 3030 humidity bucket with humidity tray and Reserve tank, connecting hose, with quick disconnect coupling and constant level humidity pan with 2 humidity pads. Also have (4) of the 6300 egg turners. Have two digital temp/ Hygrometers for safety.
I've also noticed that some have humidity tray at top, some have humidity water tray at bottom? when having humidity water tray on bottom then appears that hatching box is at top and vise versa when opposite?
thanks for any input.
I have a woodshop and was a machinist for 22 years, now a computer server tech and repair old stereo's, reel to reel decks, turntables in free time. have 12 chickens Delaware's and Rhode islands.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm building an incubator next few weeks and wondering how to move the baby chicks from there egg turner tray to the bottom hatching area without a total heat loss? if you open the door on an incubator don't you loose all heat or most of the heat?

Totally irrelevant. It’s not the instantaneous heat that matters as long as you don’t take a blow torch to them. It’s the temperature at the middle of the eggs. That takes a long time to change. At that age they are generating a lot of heat on their own anyway. You have plenty of time to take the top off and leave it off while you candle the eggs if you wish. It really won’t matter unless you get ridiculous about it.

 

[Strader]

Thank you for the info. So sounds like core temp takes awhile to change, and at this point chicks are far enough along their creating a lot of there own internal heat.

 

[Bitterroot]

Bottles (or jugs if your incubator is large enough) of water for thermal mass help a lot with temps getting back up once you shut the door, too. It'll also help keep your temps if you experience a short power loss. Best of luck, incubator builds are addictive.

 

[Strader]

Thanks for all the input.
Just checked my (3) different digital temperature meters and all (3) read different. Also checked to verify humidity reading is close and it was at 42%, 48%,54% on the (3) None were even close to what their supposed to be when doing the Damp salt in the shot glass test. Should read around 75% when each are sealed in zip lock bag for 10 hours with the damp salt in the shot glass.
Just ordered the Brinsea Spot Check Digital Incubator Thermometer. Not having faith in the (3) I have at home.

 

[Taco]

I think your question was misunderstood. You asked how to move CHICKS from turning trays. You shouldn't have chicks in turning trays. 3 days before they are due to hatch you move them to your hatching tray and don't touch them again till they stop hatching. Also increase the humidity 10% during this time and don't open the door at all. Opening the door lets out all your humidity. This last three days is called "LOCK DOWN". Look up threads on this and it will be explained over and over. Good luck