Day 14

[trystinn]

I'm getting fairly excited (and impatient, of course) as the incubator eggs have 1 week to hatch. Now that's give or take a few days, of course. 4 days before expected hatch day, we perform what's called Lock Down. We turn off the turner (if there is one, otherwise we stop turning) and we close the incubator up tight, so we don't open it again until the chicks arrive. In my specific case, I need to remove the turner and replace it with a flat, high sided pen to keep the chicks safe and sound, while the now brooder keeps them warm. Needless to say, the dogs will be thrilled.

I am nervous about our success rate. Nervous if we will get any chicks, at all. Odds aren't great with shipped eggs. Cross your fingers for the little feathered darlings, please.