Quick Hatching Question

GA Homesteader

In the Brooder
5 Years
Aug 17, 2014
80
7
38
Senoia GA
I have a broody hen who is sitting on eggs. Today is day 21 or day 22. I hear a chick chirping inside (it has pipped internally) but has not pipped externally. I heard the chirping internally over 15 hours ago. Still no external pip. Could not hear chirping this morning. Candled the egg and the chick looks to be in the proper position. Should I start an external pip or just leave it alone and let nature take its course? I have done many hatches but never one that has taken this long to pip externally. I do not use an incubator to hatch, nor do I have an incubator. It had a large air cell to begin with....or so it looked to me. Thanks!
 
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I would wait a while longer. Once, I was in the same situation with an egg going on day 25. I went out to the nest that night to deal with the egg, assuming it was bad. When I picked it up, I felt a chick pecking the inside! It hatched on its own by about 1pm the next day. So all i can say is to give it some time.
 
OK, Thank you. I think leaving it alone is the best option. I am not a vet and although I could probably do an assisted hatch, I do not want to risk helping the chick hatch too early and then it dies. I have had egg mortality before and if it happens to this one, then it just happens. I hate to lose a chick. It breaks my heart. This is my first time for a bantam to hatch. They are just so much smaller...I assume to hatch process is still the same. lol The mom has worked so hard. I will just be patient and wait. Thank you for replying. I think I would of pulled my hair out after day 23! lol You are very patient.
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