13th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-Along

[muddy75]

Why do you make safety holes?

Yeah @muddy75 Spill the beans.

I’m going by others’ experience and recommendations

 

[muddy75]

I swear I’ve read on here that call ducks often need assistance since their bills are shorter? So it would give them time to hatch themselves if they can and you don’t lose them if you can’t assist right away. Would love to hear if that’s anywhere close

I got these eggs from someone that has less probability of necessary assistance but I still wanted to play it safe…..first one made it out on its own today along with first pheasant im watching the others closely

 

[Poodlemum]

Me too!

Sameeeeee

 

[ronott1]

I’m going by others’ experience and recommendations

Safety holes at the beginning of incubation can cause them to stick and shrink wrap. They should only be used at the end of a hatch as a last ditch effort to save a chick. I have had that work once and the chick was missing it's egg tooth.

It creates a condition where you need to assist more during the hatch if you poke holes in the egg. Also, they need a bit of O2 depravation.

I have seen some of those safety holes, poked in with a screw that were huge! With blood coming out of the hole. Pictures like that make me sad.

 

[kurby22]

Safety holes at the beginning of incubation can cause them to stick and shrink wrap. They should only be used at the end of a hatch as a last ditch effort to save a chick. I have had that work once and the chick was missing it's egg tooth.

It creates a condition where you need to assist more during the hatch if you poke holes in the egg. Also, they need a bit of O2 depravation.

I have seen some of those safety holes, poked in with a screw that were huge! With blood coming out of the hole. Pictures like that make me sad.

Yeah I only do them if they’ve been externally pipped for more than 20 hours…and I usually use their started hole and peel back enough to see if they’re moving. After that I play it by ear if I’m going to keep helping. 50% make it after help and the other half do not :-( but it’s my least favorite thing, I stress the entire time!

 

[Little Baby Bean]

We have our first external pip!

Yup, and it was just peeping a ton! I wish I weren't so impatient!

 

[microchick]

Not competing but I have 5 eggs pipped and two starting to zip. Number 6 was added a bit late and is at least 12 hours behind the others. All are Egyptian Fayoumis eggs.

I didn't hatch last year so I had almost forgot how exciting it is to hatch!

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

100% hatch with shipped eggs Chickaletta is the best!!

 

[Pyxis]

My last emu hatched with its leg facing inwards. Currently holding it in a tight shirt and making it hold it straight underneath it. Hopefully it helps

@Pyxis have you had any hatch with a kind of wonky leg but end up just fine?

Just one this year was a little weird. I taped its legs and and she was fine

 

[Mrs J]

What a longggg day! At one point my hubby threatened to lock me in the office so I would stop running backwards and forwards…and actually get some work done… I finished my work, rush to my incubator…and not a sausage HURRY UP CHICKS!!!