How long after chirping starts can it take a chick to pip outer shell?

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spruce creek

spruce creek

In the Brooder
Feb 20, 2017
73
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I set my eggs on Sat Feb. 4th so I am counting today as day 21. One egg started rocking a lot on the 21st(day 17) and the 22nd, but then hasn't had much movement since, it did start some very faint chirping on the 23rd and more yesterday but now it is quiet and still. If they are chirping does that mean they have pipped internally? and if so how long can they survive before an external pip? at some point yesterday it must have had a good wiggle because the egg turned 45 degrees. Trying to be patient, and not worry but its hard!!!
 
spruce creek said:
 I set my eggs on Sat Feb. 4th so I am counting today as day 21.  One egg started rocking a lot on the 21st(day 17) and the 22nd, but then hasn't had much movement since, it did start some very faint chirping on the 23rd and more yesterday but now it is quiet and still. If they are chirping does that mean they have pipped internally? and if so how long can they survive before an external pip? at some point yesterday it must have had a good wiggle because the egg turned 45 degrees.  Trying to be patient, and not worry but its hard!!! 
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It is very common to see rocking eggs at day 17/18 and then nothing until hatch because that is when they are getting into position, head under wing beak up. Once they are positioned they will rest.
Usually hearing cheeping is a sign they've internally pipped, however I've seen people report that they heard chirping with no sign of an internal pip. Usually within 24 hours after internal pip you see an external pip. Personally, if it's been that long I would candle and see if I could see what's going on.
 
We are not totally sure on her breed but the woman I got my hen from thinks she is a bantam cross with a Rhode Island red. She is not very big and because of the bantam I thought maybe the eggs were going to hatch early, but today is day 21 and no pips from any of them so not hatching early.
 
I'm nervous to candle at this stage, we are only at day 21 so I am going to wait a bit, if they can chirp without breaking the internal membrane then maybe I was worrying for nothing?
 
Lots of chirping coming from the incubator!! Hopefully they will pip soon!!
fl.gif


All has gone quiet and still, I am beside myself. I am worried there shells might just be too thick for them to pip? The hen they are from does lay eggs with pretty thick shells. So I ended up candling the first egg and couldn't see any movement :-(
 
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