Thank you so much for your article. Day three of hatching. There were many chicks that were crowding the bator so I started moving to a brooder. Then there was a small pip on one egg I assumed it was ready to hatch. I heard a faint peep from one of them. The next day pipped egg still not unzipped. Actually I had several eggs remaining in the incubator past hatching day. I assumed they were not going to hatch but then I heard “cheep cheep”. So, Leave it alone I did! Later that day another hatched and I was surprised the pipped one still had not unzipped so I told hubby “ I heard if they are too weak we shouldn’t assist. This one was peeping but now not hearing much. Nevertheless, I grabbed my phone and checked out your article. Decided to make sure the pip was all the way through for safety air hole. Flicked the tiniest bit of shell off the already pipped area but didn’t pierce the membrane. The Peeps had stopped by then so after a few I decided to pierce the membrane. I saw black feathers. Left it alone. After a few minutes the peeping started back in earnest. The former “pip” was apparently done by some exuberant sibling because the next thing I know there was a pip and unzip in a different location and out popped the chick! I know it needed air. I saved it because of your article!
