Are you nervously pacing around your incubator, wondering when exactly you should lockdown your chicken eggs? You’re not alone! As a chicken keeper who’s hatched hundreds of eggs, I can tell you that lockdown timing is one of those critical moments that can make or break your hatch success.
In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about when to lockdown chicken eggs, what exactly lockdown means, and how to make sure you get it right Whether you’re a first-time hatcher or an experienced breeder, these tips will help ensure your fluffy little chicks have the best start possible!
What Exactly is Chicken Egg Lockdown?
Before we dive into timing let’s clarify what “lockdown” actually means. Lockdown is simply the term we use to describe the final preparation phase before eggs hatch. It’s when we optimize the incubator settings for hatching and stop all egg handling.
During lockdown:
- Egg turning stops completely
- Humidity levels increase
- The incubator stays closed (hence “lockdown”)
- Chicks get into their final position for hatching
Think of it as the chicken egg equivalent of “do not disturb” mode – we’re creating the perfect environment for those little chicks to make their grand entrance!
The Perfect Timing: When to Lockdown Your Chicken Eggs
For standard chicken eggs: Day 18 of incubation (3 days before expected hatch)
For bantam chicken eggs: Day 16 of incubation (3 days before their shorter 19-day hatch cycle)
This three-day window before hatching is crucial because it gives the developing chicks time to position themselves correctly for hatching. During this time, they’re getting into the right position with their head under their right wing and pointed toward the air cell.
Is Earlier or Later Better for Lockdown?
According to discussions among experienced hatchers, if you have to choose, going early with lockdown is generally safer than going late. Here’s why:
- Early lockdown (day 16-17): Gives chicks extra time to position themselves, slightly less risk of membrane drying
- Late lockdown (day 19-20): Could result in chicks hatching while you’re still turning eggs, which can cause serious problems
As one experienced hatcher noted: “A day or two early is better than a day or two late, considering I almost always get early pippers on day 19!”
The 5 Critical Steps for Proper Chicken Egg Lockdown
When lockdown day arrives, here’s what you need to do:
1. Candle All Eggs One Last Time
This is your final opportunity to remove any eggs that aren’t developing properly. Look for:
- Eggs showing no development
- Eggs with blood rings
- Eggs that are cracked or oozing
- Eggs that smell bad
During candling, you can also check the air cell size. By day 18, the air cell should occupy about 1/3 of the egg’s volume at the larger end.
2. Stop Turning the Eggs
This is absolutely critical! The chicks are now positioning themselves for hatching, and continued turning can prevent them from getting into the right position.
- Turn off automatic turners
- Remove turning plates or dividers
- Place eggs on their sides (not standing up)
- Add a non-slip mat to prevent splayed legs after hatching
I always use shelf liner cut to fit my incubator as my non-slip surface. It’s cheap and works perfectly!
3. Increase Humidity Levels
Time to crank up that humidity! This prevents the egg membranes from drying out, which would trap the chick inside.
- Standard incubation humidity: 45-50%
- Lockdown humidity: 65-70%
I’ve found that a simple way to increase humidity is to add water to both chambers of your water reservoir, or place damp paper towels or sponges in the incubator. Just make sure to use warm water so you don’t lower the temperature!
4. “Chick-Proof” Any Water Sources
Newly hatched chicks can drown in very small amounts of water. If your incubator has open water containers:
- Cover water reservoirs with a guard
- Make sure chicks can’t fall into any water sources
- Check for any other hazards like sharp edges
In my Brinsea Mini, I always make sure to put the guard on top of the water pot. You’d be surprised how easily those wobbly new chicks can stumble into things!
5. Close That Lid and Leave It Alone!
Now comes the hardest part – resisting the urge to peek! Once lockdown begins:
- Keep the incubator closed
- Maintain stable temperature (usually 99.5°F/37.5°C)
- Only open if absolutely necessary to add water
- NEVER open if you see pipping has started
I know it’s tempting to check on your eggs, but every time you open the lid, you’re letting out precious humidity that those hatching chicks need!
Special Situations and Common Questions
What If I Have Mixed Sized Eggs?
If you’re incubating both standard and bantam eggs in the same incubator, it’s best to lockdown all eggs at day 16. The standard eggs will be fine with the earlier lockdown, and your bantams will appreciate the proper timing.
What If I See Eggs Rocking Before Lockdown?
Egg rocking can happen at different stages:
- Day 14-15: Chicks turning toward the air cell
- Day 17-18: Positioning for hatching
- Just before pipping: Final positioning
If you notice significant rocking before your planned lockdown day, it might be worth going into lockdown early. Better safe than sorry!
Do I Need to Lower Temperature at Lockdown?
Most incubators should maintain the same temperature (99.5°F/37.5°C) during lockdown. However, some hatchers reduce the temperature slightly (by 0.5-1°F) once the first pip appears to prevent chicks from overheating during the physical exertion of hatching.
What If I Need to Be Away During Lockdown?
This is a common concern! If you must be away during the lockdown period:
- Set up lockdown before you leave
- Add extra water to account for evaporation
- Consider having someone check humidity (without opening if pipping has started)
One hatcher shared: “I went with my gut and laid them with the lowest portion of the air cell up and added about a tablespoon of water to my water bowl” before leaving for a medical appointment with their daughter.
Signs Your Eggs Are Getting Ready to Hatch
After lockdown, keep an eye out for these signs that hatching is imminent:
- Rocking eggs: Chicks moving into position
- Peeping sounds: Even before external pipping
- Internal pip: Visible when candling as a small dark triangle in the air cell
- External pip: The first small hole in the shell
- Unzipping: When the chick creates a crack around the egg’s circumference
Common Lockdown Mistakes to Avoid
- Locking down too late: If chicks start hatching while eggs are still being turned, they can suffer injuries
- Opening the incubator: This releases critical humidity
- Forgetting the non-slip flooring: Can lead to splayed legs in newly hatched chicks
- Humidity too low: Causes membranes to dry and “shrink-wrap” chicks
- Humidity too high: Prevents proper drying and fluffing of hatched chicks
My Final Thoughts
Timing your chicken egg lockdown correctly is super important for a successful hatch. While day 18 (or day 16 for bantams) is the standard recommendation, I’ve found that it’s better to err on the early side if you’re unsure.
Remember that incubation isn’t an exact science – even mother hens sometimes have early or late hatchers! The most important thing is creating a stable environment during those final crucial days and resisting the urge to peek inside.
I still get butterflies in my stomach every time lockdown day approaches, even after dozens of successful hatches. There’s just something magical about those first peeps and seeing that first pip mark appear on an egg shell!
Have you locked down your eggs yet? What day do you typically choose for lockdown? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Happy hatching!
Firstly: What does “chicken egg incubator lockdown” mean?
“Lockdown” in this context is simply the word used to describe the time when an egg incubator has its settings optimised, ready for hatch.
The eggs are not turned or candled again and the incubator is left with its lid closed until after the chicks have hatched.
It requires five main things to be done.
When should chicken egg incubator lockdown take place?
The optimum time is three days before the eggs are due to hatch. For large sized chicken eggs this is at Day 18 of incubation. Bantam eggs tend to hatch earlier, at around 19 days into incubation, so they should be locked down at day 16. If you have one incubator holding both large and bantam chicken eggs and you don’t have a way of separating them, lock down all the eggs at Day 16.
5 simple steps to locking down your egg incubator.
There are just five easy things to be done on day 18 to make sure any chicken egg incubator is properly locked down and has the best possible chance of healthy chicks hatching.
Please note: I’m using my original Brinsea Mini Advance and Octagon 20 (now discontinued but still available on eBay) incubators as examples in these instructions, but exactly the same principles apply whichever incubator you’re using.