Can I delay incubation

[FunnyFarmH3]

I started some chicken eggs a few hours ago in the incubator and just realized that their hatch day I will be unavailable. Can I take them back out without risking loss?

 

[Debbie292d]

I would think it's borderline too late as right about a few hours into being in 99.5 the egg temp is rising. Once it gets in the 90s it starts developing and it's not like you can stop it and restart it in a few days.

You don't really have much choice though if you won't be around their hatch day. You'll have to either leave them in there and get someone to care for them, or if that's no option, then pull them, put them in the fridge maybe for half an hour to cool them back down fast, then out on the counter until you're ready, and hope for the best! Who knows, that might actually work!

 

[mcdze]

ive rarely had eggs hatch on time, typically they start a couple days early, but sometimes late .. its almost never a one day event .. id say you not being there for a 24 hour period will make little difference, just have the brooder setup and chick starter onhand so you can directly take care of things if you walk into a bator full of chirpers ..

 

[killmak]

They can go 2-3 days without needing food or water right after hatching. It is better to be around when they hatch in case there are minor issues, however they will most likely hatch just fine without you being there.