The incubation was a success! We had 15 of the 17 (after a late addition of 3 extra) eggs successfully hatch, and now, a week later they are eating and growing at quite a rate!
Day 15 was lockdown day, where the turning bits of the incubator were removed and gravel paper laid on the floor of the incubator. This is so they can get a good grip when they move around and reduce the possibility of splayed legs (which can happen if their feet slip around).
![](https://www.mccarthypark.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_5523-768x1024.jpg)
We also made sure the brooder was set up and ready, and ran the brooder plate to make sure everything worked. We used a deep tub, cut out a hole in the lid and replaced it with this mesh that could be opened and closed quickly and easily.
![](https://www.mccarthypark.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_5521-1-1024x768.jpg)
Day 18 we awoke to three hatched, and then throughout the day and into the evening, the others hatched except for two eggs! They were very noisily chirping around!
![](https://www.mccarthypark.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_5550-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.mccarthypark.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_5562-1024x768.jpg)
The next day, when they were dry and fluffy, we transferred them over to the brooder box. We felt they were a bit cold, so added a ceramic heat lamp which seemed to make them more comfortable for their first week. Now, just over a week later, they are eating and drinking huge amounts, and growing at a rate of knots!
![](https://www.mccarthypark.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_5614-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.mccarthypark.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_5616-768x1024.jpg)
Now we have to be so careful when we open the lid, as they jump straight up in the air!