first incubation

Monday night was lock down for me. On day 20 I have one that has hatched(still in the incubator). Tonight will start day 23. I haven't seen any pips or anything. I candled all eggs before lock down and all had movement except a couple that I could really tell because of the egg color. I know that I need to get the hatched chick out soon and into the brooder, but what about the remaining eggs? Should I candle or try the water test? I have read so many stories about not opening the incubator, but obviously I have to to get the 1 chick out.
 
Monday night was lock down for me. On day 20 I have one that has hatched(still in the incubator). Tonight will start day 23. I haven't seen any pips or anything. I candled all eggs before lock down and all had movement except a couple that I could really tell because of the egg color. I know that I need to get the hatched chick out soon and into the brooder, but what about the remaining eggs? Should I candle or try the water test? I have read so many stories about not opening the incubator, but obviously I have to to get the 1 chick out.
First, opening the bator w/o any pipped or zipped eggs does not carry a risk. Opening the bator during hatch only carries a small risk providing that you have adquate humidity, you are timely and your incubator recovers the humidity quickly. I remove my chicks during hatch as well as clean out shells and assist if I need to. All w/no ill effects to the pipping/zipping chicks.

I do not believe that a chick should go 3 days w/o food and water. While they say they can, you have to take into consideration that the chick can be dehydrated at hatch which would decrease it's chances of thriving if they have water with held for an extended time. Yes, by all means, move him to the brooder.

Now, for the others. You have no external pips, candling them is not going to hurt them. Chance are after this long the other's aren't viaable, but there's always hope. I would candle and see if there are any internal pips and movement. If not then I would consider eggtopsies if you are comfortable. You can also give them another day or two. It all depends on what you are more comfy with, but I would move the chick to the brooder.
 
If it's been 24 hours since your last hatch is it safe to assume the others won't hatch without assistance? I feel like had I helped them out they might of had a chance. But then again if they weren't ready they would have died.
 
Thank you, There is so much information out there that it all starts running together.
Not to mention the fact that everyone does it differently and everyone has different beliefs....lol

If it's been 24 hours since your last hatch is it safe to assume the others won't hatch without assistance? I feel like had I helped them out they might of had a chance. But then again if they weren't ready they would have died.
That's my philosophy. Usually what's going to hatch hatches out w/in 48 hours of the first hatcher. There's always exceptions of course. If I have had most of my eggs hatch and have no pips, I candle w/in 24 hours of the last hatcher. If there's any sign of life I'll put them back, but if I don't see any internal pips, no movement or if it just doesn't look right then I go ahead and do the eggtopsies. I am all for assissting chicks if they need it, but I will not try to assist by going into an egg that has not externally pipped and been that way for 12-18 hours. I try to wait until 18 hours unless I think something is drastically wrong. Opening an egg that hasn't externally pipped (with the exception of putting a hole in the air cell just as a precaution-which I do not do but can to a point understand) will seldom ever save a chick and has a higher chance of killing a chick that may have hatched if left along.
 
Well I moved the little one into the brooder. I candled the eggs and didn't see any movements, but I can still see veins on some. The ones that I didn't see veins or movement I have removed. Will the little one be okay by itself? I have a hen on eggs that is scheduled at the end of next week to hatch but I am not sure that she would except a week old. Suggestions?
 
Well I moved the little one into the brooder. I candled the eggs and didn't see any movements, but I can still see veins on some. The ones that I didn't see veins or movement I have removed. Will the little one be okay by itself? I have a hen on eggs that is scheduled at the end of next week to hatch but I am not sure that she would except a week old. Suggestions?
He will be loud and want lots of attention. I don't how well the hen will accept it, I have no experience there. I do with singly hatched chicks. You can add a small mirror and a stuffed animal to the brooder for it. The best scenerio is if you could find a friend or two for it about the same age. Whatever you decide. Good luck.
 

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