Is Bedding Needed in the Incubator?! HELP!

[andieschicks]

I have at least one, hopefully 3, eggs that should be hatching saturday-ish. I JUST noticed that this night's turn was the last one and that, OMG, they are hatching soon and I'm not 100% sure exactly how to make the incubator perfect for my little chicks. 0.o

Should there be bedding already in the incubator since I am going to be moving them right as I am able to to a 2ft x 2ft x 1 ft cardboard box? I have the box almost fully set up already and it is able to keep the correct temp no problem but it can't hold humidity so I can't move my babies there until they have hatched and are good to move. (All of my research shows that is when they are dried off n fluffy, is that correct? It's my first hatch!)

Recommendations on bedding? I've got a huge amount of hay, fine hay, and sawdust at my disposal, will any of those work? Any I should stay away from?

 

[Alaskan]

For the incubator... The most you might need is one papertowel, if the bottom is slippery.

The papertowel can help with clean up too. But you only need it if the floor they will be walking on is smooth plastic or something similar.

They look so limp and sad when they first hatch. It can take a full 24 hours, or even a little longer, before they really pep up.

Mine have no interest in food or water right after hatch. Sometimes it will take two days, at the most three, before they really want to eat and drink.

So..... Don't panic!

 

[Smithyard Farm]

no bedding in the incubator.... once your chickies have hatched, and dried, you can move them to their new cardboard home. I put down pine shavings and thee a puppy pad, or paper towels over it. They can walk better. When they are real small, I just pull up the pad/paper towel up and replace with a new one. as they get older and are able to walk better, I just use the shavings.


remember not to open the incubator until all have hatched. The chicks can be in there for 24 hours before needing food and/or water.

Good Luck.. make sure you post pics!

 

[andieschicks]

Thanks! ^_^ Y'all have been super helpful!

Of course, I'll make sure to post pics! Yay! Thanks again!

 

[Jessshan8]

Chicks can actually go for up to 72 hours without their first taste of food or water sustaining themselves with their absorbed yolk . So although you might get antsy they can go for 48 hours without any danger to them.

 

[andieschicks]

So should I not have any food/water available at all until day 2ish or just have it there and ready for them at the very start?

 

[Renee97038]

I line the bottom of the incubator (during the hatch) with rubber shelf liner, the non adhesive type. It works well so they don't slip around. It can be washed and reused. I cut it to size. I also use this rubber liner under my food and water in the brooder. When they are first put into the brooder I put a layer of pine shavings then cover it with the rubber shelf liner until they get their footing. Then, remove the liner and put it only under the water and food. This keeps the shavings out of the water pretty well. I shake out the liner every day, and wash it.

 

[Alaskan]

So should I not have any food/water available at all until day 2ish or just have it there and ready for them at the very start?

No food or water in the incubator.

Keep them in the incubator until they actually look peppy, maybe day two, at which point you move them to the brooder and dip their beaks in the water dish so they know where it is.

 

[Jessshan8]

Quote: I agree! I think you meant hatcher/incubator though. Just to recap and to avoid confusion..... Leave the chicks in the hatcher/incubator for up to 72 hours while the other chicks are hatching. This will prevent the loss of the much needed humidity for the hatching babies left. If all the chicks have hatched and are dry and fuzzy you can move them to the brooder and introduce water and food. I also dip their beaks in the water once they go in the brooder.

 

[Alaskan]

 

So should I not have any food/water available at all until day 2ish or just have it there and ready for them at the very start?

No food or water in the brooder.


Keep them in the brooder until they actually look peppy, maybe day two, at which point you move them to the brooder and dip their beaks in the water dish so they know where it is.

I agree! I think you meant hatcher/incubator though. Just to recap and to avoid confusion..... Leave the chicks in the hatcher/incubator for up to 72 hours while the other chicks are hatching. This will prevent the loss of the much needed humidity for the hatching babies left. If all the chicks have hatched and are dry and fuzzy you can move them to the brooder and introduce water and food. I also dip their beaks in the water once they go in the brooder.

Uh..... Silly me.......

Thanks for clearing that up.