Introduction

During the incubation process of chicken eggs, the lockdown period is a crucial phase that occurs around day 18 of incubation. This period is characterized by increased humidity and the cessation of turning the eggs, aimed at facilitating the hatching process. However, what if you accidentally started the lockdown on day 17? Is it okay, and can you still have healthy chicks? Let's explore this situation in detail.

Understanding the Lockdown Period

The lockdown period is designed to mimic the natural environment inside a hen. By increasing humidity and stopping the turning of the eggs, the chicks are allowed to position themselves for hatching. Typically, incubation lasts 21 days, and the lockdown phase begins around day 18. Starting the lockdown a day early can have some minor effects but is not generally catastrophic.

Key Considerations for Early Lockdown

Humidity and Temperature: Ensure that humidity levels are maintained at around 65-70% relative humidity, and the temperature remains at 99.5°F (37.5°C). Consistency is crucial during this period.

Egg Positioning: Place the eggs upright and avoid rolling or moving them too often. Proper positioning helps the chicks to position themselves correctly for hatching.

Monitoring: Keep a close eye on the eggs for any signs of pipping (the process where the chick starts to break out of the shell) or distress. Be prepared to intervene if necessary.

Chick Development: While most chicks will develop and hatch normally, any stress or changes in humidity can impact hatch rates. However, the differences from an early lockdown are minimal.

Studies and Expert Opinions

According to studies, you can stop turning the eggs after day 14 without causing problems. The primary risk from an early lockdown stems from humidity issues. If the eggs have lost the right amount of water, there should be no issue. If the eggs have retained too much, one day's difference would not significantly alter the outcome.

Expert advice emphasizes that incubating chicken eggs is not as daunting as it might seem. Simply set the incubator at 37.7°C with a humidity range of 55-65%, turn the eggs 2-3 times daily. Starting from day 17 or 18, stop turning the eggs and increase humidity to around 80%. Do not open the incubator during the lockdown phase, and let the chicks hatch naturally. This process is easy and can yield successful hatch rates.

Actions to Take After Early Lockdown

If you mistakenly began the lockdown on day 17, you can still take steps to mitigate the effects and increase the chances of a successful hatch. Here are several actions you can take:

Extend the Incubation Period: Continue the eggs in the incubator for a longer period to make up for the premature lockdown. Ensure that the temperature and humidity levels remain optimal. Adjust Humidity Levels: Maintain the recommended humidity levels of around 65-75% during the lockdown phase to prevent the eggs from drying out. Monitor Egg Development: Regularly use a candling device to monitor the development of the embryos. Look for signs of movement, blood vessel growth, and air cell size to assess the viability of the eggs. Assess Egg Health: Discard any eggs showing signs of developmental abnormalities such as blood rings or foul odors, as they may not hatch successfully. Be Patient and Wait: Allow the normal hatching window (typically around day 21) to pass without intervening. This helps minimize stress and maximize the chances of successful hatching. Learn from the Experience: Take note of this mistake for future incubations. Follow the recommended incubation guidelines to optimize hatch rates and chick health.

Conclusion: Putting chicken eggs into lockdown on day 17, while not ideal, can still be managed with proper care and attention. By extending the incubation period, maintaining appropriate humidity levels, monitoring egg development, assessing viability, and being patient, you can still expect to hatch healthy chicks from the eggs. Proper care and attention throughout the process are key to successful chick hatching.