Lockdown and First Cheeps

Yesterday, it being day 19 of incubation, I removed the incubator from the auto-turn cradle and increased the humidity towards 70%.

I also removed the metal dividers in the egg tray, to give the chicks a bit more room to move about once they eventually hatch. I replaced the central divider with piece of perspex, so there was a separation between the Welsummer and Cream Legbar eggs. My logic is that the chicks might be difficult to tell apart if they get mixed up, so if I keep them separate in the incubator I will have a chance to mark them. I've bought some coloured leg rings for just that purpose.

By this stage of development the chicks are very well formed and begin to orient themselves ready for hatching. Their beaks should be in the air cell, having just broken through the inner membrane. 

In order to hatch successfully the chicks need a higher humidity. This prevents them sticking to the shell or membrane when they attempt to break through into the wider world. I completely filled the reservoirs in the bottom of the incubator and added a wet sponge, just to be sure the air inside has sufficient moisture. The incubator should not now be opened until the chicks have fully hatched and dried for a day. The newly hatched chicks will not need to eat or drink for a day, as they are still absorbing nourishment from the attached yolk sac.

Today, which is day 20 of the incubation process, I have observed the eggs rocking and heard cheeps from inside. Having failed to candle the eggs properly, I am somewhat relieved to have final confirmation of life inside.

The first chicks should begin hatching over the next 24 hours, so it's a very exciting time and I'll be keeping a close eye on the incubator.