First time with incubator.

[namead]

It says to keep the chicks in the incubator after they hatch. Do we need to make sure they have water and food during this time?

 

[Debbie292d]

No. Chicks can live up to 72 hours without food/water. That's how shippers ship all those live "day old" chicks successfully.

You might have some chicks get all dry and fluffy while others are hatching yet. Leave them in there until all have hatched that are going to hatch. It's best to try not to open the incubator while eggs are pipped (a hole) or are hatching. The membrane can get stuck to them making it difficult for them.