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Egg Lockdown

Day 18(chicks)/25(ducklings) - Lockdown!

Please read these instructions thoroughly before beginning to make sure that you are fully prepared. If the eggs are out of the incubator too long this will reduce the hatching success rate. That said it is important that you don't rush, you need to be gentle with the eggs.

Purpose

The chicks/ducklings are starting to get ready to come out. To make it easier for them we are going to

  • Stop the eggs from turning
  • Increase the humidity inside the incubator.

To do this we are going to remove the spinning egg holder and the corflute humidity modifier. Once we are finished we won't open the incubator again until 24 hours after the first chick has hatched. This is why this part of the process is called "lockdown".

Prepare to undertake the job

  • Clear Space around the incubator
  • Place something soft on the bench
    • To protect the bench from being scratched
    • To put the eggs on or in e.g. a old egg carton or a soft bath towel

Make safe

  • Ensue you won’t be bumped or interrupted
  • Turn Off the power
  • Disconnect the power cord

Remove the bits from the incubator

  • Remove the foam cover
  • Remove the clear lid
  • Remove the eggs and place them in the egg carton or on soft towel or similar. Be gentle!
  • Lift off the egg holder spinner by grabbing it from the centre spindle and put it to one side – we don’t need this anymore.
  • Remove the egg tray (has lots of little holes in it) – we will put this back.
  • Remove the corflute humidity modifier – we don’t need this anymore for hatching.
  • Put the egg tray back in.
  • Place the eggs on the egg tray, place the eggs around the edge. Be gentle.
  • Replace the clear lid making sure that it fits snugly.
  • Replace the foam cover.
  • Plug in the power cord.
  • Turn on the power.
  • Clean the corflute humidity modifier and retain it for return (failure to return will result in a deduction from your deposit).
  • Clean the egg holder spinner  and retain it for return (failure to return will result in a deduction from your deposit).

That's it! The chicks/ducklings will get into position instant chipping their way out of the eggs. You may have already heard them starting to chirp. Hatching is just a few days away.

Do not to open the incubator until at least twenty four hours after the first chick/duckling hatches.