When is the best time to take out hatched chicks?

[Firsttimecrazychicklady]

Hi!
I have 7 eggs in an incubator and yesterday, Saturday 1st May, one chick hatched. I’m not sure at what time because I didn’t see it happen. I noticed the chick this morning and it was nearly entirely fluffy. There are 3 more pipping at the moment which I’m expecting to be fully hatched by tomorrow Monday 3rd. I then have 2 eggs not pipped yet. When is the best time to take that first chick out? I know you have to leave the incubator closed as they pip and zip. Can I leave that first chick in there until the other three have fluffed up even if it’s over 48hrs?

 

[Aapomp831]

Yes - they need 72 hours to absorb the yolk sac. We just hatched and I left the first one in for 3 days while the others hatched - the fluffiest ones came out first and into the brooder.

 

[Firsttimecrazychicklady]

Yes - they need 72 hours to absorb the yolk sac. We just hatched and I left the first one in for 3 days while the others hatched - the fluffiest ones came out first and into the brooder.

Oh that’s great! Thanks for replying. I was worried about taking them out but also didn’t want them to die of starvation

 

[Aapomp831]

Oh that’s great! Thanks for replying. I was worried about taking them out but also didn’t want them to die of starvation

Nope - no starvation. That’s what the yolk sac is for. Remember people ship newly hatched chicks across the country in cardboard boxes - that’s the critical period where they don’t need food or water yet. Your chicks will be fine - consider the first three days out of the egg to be part of the hatching process. You can give them electrolyte water for the first few days and then just plain fresh water everyday after that (when they graduate to the brooder, I mean). Good luck!

 

[Aapomp831]

.... and by the way, I literally just went through this and had almost an identical question. We all stress out over baby chicks! I just learned all this.

 

[MissE]

Mine started hatching last night. First one was out around 7:30. Number seven just hatched a couple minutes ago. There are five to go. All are pipped. Two are zipping. I will leave everyone in there until they are all fluffy. If it was a bigger hatch, I may need to remove some for the space, but otherwise, they can wait for all their buddies to pop out.

 

[Firsttimecrazychicklady]

Nope - no starvation. That’s what the yolk sac is for. Remember people ship newly hatched chicks across the country in cardboard boxes - that’s the critical period where they don’t need food or water yet. Your chicks will be fine - consider the first three days out of the egg to be part of the hatching process. You can give them electrolyte water for the first few days and then just plain fresh water everyday after that (when they graduate to the brooder, I mean). Good luck!

Yes I didn’t think of that actually! They are more resilient then I realised. Thank you so much!

 

[Firsttimecrazychicklady]

Mine started hatching last night. First one was out around 7:30. Number seven just hatched a couple minutes ago. There are five to go. All are pipped. Two are zipping. I will leave everyone in there until they are all fluffy. If it was a bigger hatch, I may need to remove some for the space, but otherwise, they can wait for all their buddies to pop out.

Ok I’ll do the same then. It’s so exciting. Thanks a mill!

 

[MissE]

Ok I’ll do the same then. It’s so exciting. Thanks a mill!

You're welcome. I just watched three hatch in the last half hour. Better than TV any day!

 

[snyper82]

My first one hatched yesterday (May2)!! and I had the same concern as the second hatched today and 4 eggs haven't pipped yet. This post helped me relax

May 2 was day ?20? (I put them in at 10pm on 4/11 so my math is confused)