when to remove chicks from incubator

[Hog]

hi I have ten chicks hatched yesterday ,two more eggs to go its looking a bit crowded in there is it best to leave them be or should I take them out or remove the empty eggs .

[3441sussex]

I usually take the chicks out of the incubator from about 6 hours after they have hatched as long has they are dry, fluffy and active.

[MrsBiscuit]

Ditto the previous post, as soon as they are fluffed up and dry and there are a few out to cheep and encourage the remaining eggs, then I take them out of the Incy and into the brooder. They can survive 24hrs without food and water as they are still absorbing nutrient from the egg, but by now yours will be ready for the next stage in their young lives

[Hog]

will it not harm the remaining eggs because the humidity will drop if I open the incubator.

[3441sussex]

If you have had 10 out of 12 eggs hatch that is a good percentage and it is likely that the remaining 2 are not going to hatch anyway if they have not pipped yet. At this stage It will not harm your eggs if you remove the chicks and egg shells from the incubator and close it again. Your chicks need to be out of the incubator and in the brooder.

[dinosaw]

If your quick then it should recover fairly quickly, if in doubt put a wet sponge cloth in when you take the chicks out to replace any moisture.

[dinosaw]

Also the longer you leave them in the greater the chance of straddle leg in my experience.

[gazeds]

I leave mine for 24 hours