Do chicks who pip at the other side of the egg (bottom) do fine getting out?

[beneduck14]

Several of my eggs have been knocked around by one chick and i've noticed how some had pipped on the other side, which was originally the side facing up before it got rolled.

Do they do fine like that?

 

[Shezadandy]

Question for those using a heating pad in the brooder. How do you keep it clean in with chicks. Burying it in chips or straw? I thought of encasing it in a plastic bag but don't think that would be good to put in which chicks. That's the reason I'm hesitating using it so far.

Lots of great suggestions on the "mother" thread for the MHP (linked below). What I did is wrapped the heating pad (after making sure it's not auto-shut-off) in a hand towel. Easy enough to wash the towels. I put my towel/heating pad over one of those wire things used for holding foil/plastic wrap under kitchen cabinets pictured below. A layer of hardware cloth over the frame keeps little heads/necks from getting caught between the wire frame and the pad- also helps when they inevitably jump up on top of it - don't want to crush the chicks underneath when either there are enough chicks to cave it in or the chicks get big enough to cave it in. Depends on # of chicks. Worked fine for 4 chicks (could have been more) - I just bent the back part down so the chicks can get their backs to the heating pad towel like it was a hen, and so long as they have a way out the back so nobody gets truly stuck back there.

There are many great variations- again- as fancy or simple as you want to make it. Some do adjustable legs etc. I liked it a lot for straight out of the incubator and the first couple weeks- depending on your setup they can use it much longer. Inverted turkey roaster for bigger chicks works well too.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ooder-picture-heavy-update/8100#post_17952572

 

[silkie1472]

I am not quite sure what you are saying. Are the eggs pipping on the rather pointy side of the egg? While incubating, was the pointy end facing up or the blunt end?

 

[beneduck14]

I am not quite sure what you are saying. Are the eggs pipping on the rather pointy side of the egg? While incubating, was the pointy end facing up or the blunt end?

The eggs are pipping in the right spot it's just that one of the chicks knocked them over so that the pipped side is now facing downwards

 

[silkie1472]

Oh, sorry. They can still hatch if the pip is faced down, but I usually turn the pips face up to help prevent them from catching on anything. It's just a little harder for them to push through the shell when it's faced down.

 

[beneduck14]

Oh, sorry. They can still hatch if the pip is faced down, but I usually turn the pips face up to help prevent them from catching on anything. It's just a little harder for them to push through the shell when it's faced down.

Hmm that's what I was thinking, should I open the incubator really quick to flip them over

 

[Shezadandy]

Personally I would, but I also remove my chicks after they start playing soccer and put them under a MHP (momma heating pad) to dry and cuddle up- then the rest of the eggs can be quickly returned to their positions. Others don't open the incubator for any reason, ever, after lockdown and have things turn out OK too.

Not sure if broody hens work actively to keep the pips upright- too dark under there to know for sure.

 

[beneduck14]

Personally I would, but I also remove my chicks after they start playing soccer and put them under a MHP (momma heating pad) to dry and cuddle up- then the rest of the eggs can be quickly returned to their positions.  Others don't open the incubator for any reason, ever, after lockdown and have things turn out OK too.

Not sure if broody hens work actively to keep the pips upright- too dark under there to know for sure.

Any heating pad would work right?

 

[BantyChooks]

Any heating pad would work right?

Just make sure it does not have an auto shut off.

 

[dekel18042]

Any heating pad would work right?

Question for those using a heating pad in the brooder. How do you keep it clean in with chicks. Burying it in chips or straw? I thought of encasing it in a plastic bag but don't think that would be good to put in which chicks. That's the reason I'm hesitating using it so far.