When to transfer to warmer? Hatching out all over! LOL

[bearz]

I've got 23 eggs in the hatcher right now. 2 out completely, half a dozen others on their way. When can I transfer them? Space is gonna be at a premium soon! (and ain't that great?!)

 

[ozark hen]

transfer when completely dry and not any sooner unless the warmer has a steady temp.? I would still wait till they dried..about 24 hours.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I have a fairly large bator but with lots of eggs, not much room for chicks. I let them dry to the touch, then they go in the brooder at 95 - 100 degrees. I put up a little corral in the corner of the bator with hardware wire...a piece about 4-5 inches high and 12-15 inches long. I make a semi-circle out of it in the corner and duct tape it to the 2 sides. Then I put the new hatchlings in there, usually 2-3 at a time. When they are up and walking pretty well, thoroughly dry (not necessarily fluffed up) I put them on the other side with the other chicks. It's worked great for me.

 

[bearz]

Thanks for the response Old Time. The final count on the initial hatch was 9 pipped, 8 hatched (2 I had to help) and 2 died when they got their necks stuck inbetween the mesh and the bottom of the hatcher. I tried to save them but was too late. I fixed that problem and we have 6 live ones, so overall I'm pleased. I have about a dozen more good candling eggs going into the hatcher in the next week so I'll keep your advice in mind.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Bearz...sorry about the 2 that got caught. That is one reason I take mine out of the bator. Just seems like there is too much for them to get hurt with. I have a mesh divider between the lightbulb and water dish and the the rest of the bator and I've had chicks climb almost all the way to the top. I had to pull them out and put them in the brooder just to keep them from falling over into the water. The divider is about 6 inches tall and comes within 1 inch of the top but they were still able to almost get over it. It's kinda' like "child-proofing" a house....it can't be done!