Lockdown - Day early or late?

Hi!
I just wrote the countdown on my calendar, and I noticed that I'm not going to be home on Day 18 to take the incubator off the rocker and increase the humidity settings. Is it better to start lockdown one day early or one day late? I've been one day late before with no obvious ill effects. Has anyone else had any experience in this?

If necessary, I would do one day late. As you said, you have done before with no apparent impact.

That's what I'll do - I'll post back once the hatch is complete.

Just in case anyone ever has the same question - It worked out fine to start the lockdown a day late. I had a good hatch, beautiful chicks! Not a single chick (40/46 fertile eggs hatched) with a deformity or any type of problem whatsoever.

good to know! thanks for letting us know
i had a 7 hour power outage this year on day 18 just when i was planning to move them to the hatcher
so i waited til day 19 instead and had a great hatch as well.
i have often speculated that moving too early ie day 17 can cause problems but never knrw for sure

There is some research to show that the most important days for egg turning are days 4 through 7.
Here's an interesting paper: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]