2026 Emu Hatch-Along

[Strawberry74]

I just read something that has me rethinking the timing of “rescuing” the chicks. I typically wait until a day or so after hatch day to put a small hole. But then you pretty much have to assist the rest of the hatch. And have to guess when their yolks have absorbed and blood vessels have dried up. It’s so tough! You kind of have to go with your gut.

I can tell you, I don’t like messing with nature! But each one of these chicks can be so difficult to hatch. I hate to see one die.

Rely on my gut? I'm a big ball of stress right now it's bad enough when you're hatching your own eggs that you paid for but when you're hatching for someone else and these expensive babies are in your hands.

He just told me he wants to get another round going.

The egg that internally pipped that I first noticed yesterday early morning is still peeping and rocking about so I'm going to sit on my hands for now. If you have any more wise words of wisdom....

 

[Strawberry74]

I just read something that has me rethinking the timing of “rescuing” the chicks. I typically wait until a day or so after hatch day to put a small hole. But then you pretty much have to assist the rest of the hatch. And have to guess when their yolks have absorbed and blood vessels have dried up. It’s so tough! You kind of have to go with your gut.

I can tell you, I don’t like messing with nature! But each one of these chicks can be so difficult to hatch. I hate to see one die.

Also, what did you read about the "timing of rescuing?" Would you be able to share that resource?

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

It was more along the lines of never helping. Very informative actually. But I’m assuming from someone who hasn’t hatched multiple emus for many seasons and lost some due to a poorly positioned chick or just a weaker chick. That would have not made it unless assisted.

Chickens… I don’t assist. Ever. Emus are a different story for me.

I’ll see if I can find it.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

https://www.emu.services/news-and-articles/why-you-shouldnt-assist-an-emu-egg-hatch#/

 

[Strawberry74]

It was more along the lines of never helping. Very informative actually. But I’m assuming from someone who hasn’t hatched multiple emus for many seasons and lost some due to a poorly positioned chick or just a weaker chick. That would have not made it unless assisted.

Chickens… I don’t assist. Ever. Emus are a different story for me.

I’ll see if I can find it.

I have read one about how the chick actually does need to go into panic mode of sorts to kickstart the neck reflex to break the shell in some instances. That in turn triggers the absorption of the yolk, etc. It's sort of like a chain reaction. Maybe that's the one you read too.

If it were you, and you knew the chick had internally pipped 18 hours ago at least would you be doing a safety hole this evening at some point? As of now baby is still whistling away and rocking the egg so I'm hoping it just goes ahead and does its thing here shortly. I can hear it tapping and squirming around. I don't mean to put you on the spot, but I know you have a lot more experience than me. I don't mind assisting the hatch if I start the assist, but I just don't want to get in there too soon if there's still time. I have read they have up to 3 days of air in there

 

[Strawberry74]

https://www.emu.services/news-and-articles/why-you-shouldnt-assist-an-emu-egg-hatch#/

Yes! That's the one I read!

SIT ON YOUR HANDS!!!