[francais]

Hi

This is my 1st time of hatching using an inccy (I usually prefer a broody hen) but I treated myself to a little inccy this year

I appologise if my question seems daft, but will my chicks be on in the inccy for a few hours if they hatch while I am at work?

Any advice on what I should / shouldn't do regarding this would be most appreciated.

Thanks

[darkbrowneggs]

Chicks should not generally be removed from the incubator immediately in any case, as they need to fluff up and recover from the effort of hatching, so a few extra hours in the incubator is good for them, so you will have no problems.

Also chicks should not be encouraged to eat too soon otherwise the egg yolk, which is absorbed just before they hatch, will not benefit them fully.   Which does not mean there should not be food and water on offer once they are removed to the brooder,  but they can easily survive without food and water for 48 hours after hatching. 

It has not been that long since dayold chicks were dispatched from the hatcheries by train, for collection from the nearest railway station, and I think they still ship them all over The States on journeys taking upto 72hours.

[splash101]

When they start hatching, dont be tempted to keep removing the lid of the incubator otherwise you will lose humidity and the other chicks may have difficulty hatching.

I try and leave it 8 hours between taking the lid off but longer would be ok.
Wait until they are fluffed up and dry. They mainly sleep anyway, must be pretty exhausting breaking out.

Make sure your brooder is on a few hours before you put them in to give it time to heat up.

Enjoy!

[francais]

Thank you both - that's brilliant really appreciate the advice

Hope to have fluffy chick photos then in a few weeks

[ANHBUC]

Look forward to the photos.

Let us know what incubator you use and any pros and cons you find with it.  I am tempted to get one as broodies are not always obliging.