Timeline Overview
Day 15–16
- Embryo fills most of the egg
- Chick positioning begins
Day 17
- Internal organs continue maturing
- Movement inside the egg increases
Day 18
- Egg turning stops
- Lockdown officially begins
What Is Lockdown?
Lockdown is the final stage of incubation before hatching begins. During this period, chicks position themselves for hatch while humidity and ventilation become increasingly important.
Stable incubation conditions during lockdown help improve hatch success and reduce late-stage embryo problems.
Why Eggs Stop Turning on Day 18
Egg turning usually stops around day 18 so chicks can position themselves correctly for hatching.
Continuing to turn eggs during lockdown may interfere with the chick’s natural hatching position.
Humidity During Lockdown
Humidity levels are typically increased during lockdown to help prevent chicks from becoming stuck inside the shell membrane.
Stable humidity supports easier hatching and healthier chick development during the final incubation stage.
Preparing for Hatch Day
Before hatch day begins, incubators should maintain stable temperature, proper humidity, and good airflow.
Opening the incubator too frequently during lockdown may reduce humidity and create hatching difficulties.
Signs Chicks Are Ready to Hatch
As hatch day approaches, chicks may begin positioning near the air cell while internal pipping occurs inside the shell.
Egg movement and chirping sounds may also indicate that hatching is close.
Common Lockdown Mistakes
Common lockdown mistakes include opening the incubator too often, allowing humidity to drop, and continuing to turn eggs after day 18.
Stable incubation conditions are extremely important during this final pre-hatch stage.
Best Practices for Days 15–18
- Stop turning eggs around day 18
- Increase humidity gradually during lockdown
- Maintain stable incubation temperature
- Avoid opening the incubator unnecessarily
- Ensure proper airflow and ventilation
Conclusion
The lockdown stage is one of the most important parts of incubation and plays a major role in hatch success. Stable humidity, proper ventilation, and minimal incubator disturbance help chicks hatch more successfully.
Continue to the final stage to learn what happens during days 19–21 and what to expect during hatching.
Recommended Incubator
Zemiro incubators simplify lockdown preparation with automatic egg turning and auto-stop technology.
https://zemirotech.com/collections/built-in-egg-candler
https://zemirotech.com/collections/auto-lockdown