1st Hatch Help...1 Pip facing floor of incubator and 1 wrong end

[GabCar]

I'm hatching my first clutch of eggs. I have 1 pipped facing the ground...should I reach in and turn the egg? Also, i have one that pipped on the wrong end of the egg...I should wait and watch for 24 hours before considering assisting, correct?

 

[igorsMistress]

Hi there. The one that pipped facing down will turn to zip out and should be ok. The pipper at the wrong end probably won't be able to turn to zip. You can wait 24 hours to help but when to help is up to you. Here's a guide if you decide to assist

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

 

[GabCar]

Hi there. The one that pipped facing down will turn to zip out and should be ok. The pipper at the wrong end probably won't be able to turn to zip. You can wait 24 hours to help but when to help is up to you. Here's a guide if you decide to assist

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

Thank you so much....I'm so scared to open my incubator with other pipped eggs. Is it true they will shrink wrap if I do?

 

[igorsMistress]

Thank you so much....I'm so scared to open my incubator with other pipped eggs. Is it true they will shrink wrap if I do?

I have never had a shrink wrapped chick from opening the incubator. Eggs are porous and some will loose moisture faster than others during the incubation process so I think most shrink wrapping takes place due to those factors. Work quickly and carefully if you have to open it and they should be just fine

If you decide to help the malposition chick take it completely out of the incubator. I put down a bath towel and then a paper towel over that. Tweezers and some coconut oil will come in handy and be sure to wash your hands before you help. I'm around so if you need help let me know.

 

[chicken_lady_38]

Stay calm and give it 24 hours before going to help. I have never had one pip face down so I can't give you much help with that. However, I just hatched some chicks last week and had one pip at the wrong end. It had been over 24 hours and still no progress. So I cracked the shell off so that it looked zipped almost all the way, moistened the membrane with warm water and placed it back in the incubator. I didn't peel back the membrane. After it started pushing a lot, it started to slide down the egg and figured out how to zip the membrane. She's still alive and very strong. After their first pip they take a very long resting period that is hours long. So stay calm. As for the face down one I would turn it to it's side if you want. As long as the humidity in the incubator is good, a quick open and close won't be a big deal. Hope this helped and good luck.

 

[igorsMistress]

Any update? How did things go?

 

[GabCar]

Any update? How did things go?

Things went really well. I very patiently assisted and she hatched and is such a beautiful and healthy sweet chick!

 

[igorsMistress]

Things went really well. I very patiently assisted and she hatched and is such a beautiful and healthy sweet chick!

That's great news! Congratulations!