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!!!

 

[Strawberry74]

Sitting on my hands was the best thing I could have done. I even went to work at the office this morning so I wouldn't sit and stare at eggs instead of doing my job. I came home to two external Pips from the last two eggs that will be hatching this round. Woohoo!

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

I haven’t been so lucky! All three that I’ve “assisted” have had issues. Which is why they didn’t pip. They were all incapable! Yesterday’s chick did manage to pip internally… kind of. I helped it the rest of the way, as I could tell it wasn’t capable of getting out of the egg. Well… it had wry neck. Bad. No wonder.

One had neurological issues and died. Another had its brain out and very under developed and yesterdays had wry neck. Sadly, we put those two down this morning.

Now to figure out what the cause is. From what Ive read, it’s most likely genetic or incubation related.

I may just let the weak ones go if they don’t make it to hatch. There are plenty of healthy little buggers that need my attention.

The wry neck chick was a healthy, talkative, plump female.

(These are the healthy little buggers)

 

[Strawberry74]

I haven’t been so lucky! All three that I’ve “assisted” have had issues. Which is why they didn’t pip. They were all incapable! Yesterday’s chick did manage to pip internally… kind of. I helped it the rest of the way, as I could tell it wasn’t capable of getting out of the egg. Well… it had wry neck. Bad. No wonder.

One had neurological issues and died. Another had its brain out and very under developed and yesterdays had wry neck. Sadly, we put those two down this morning.

Now to figure out what the cause is. From what Ive read, it’s most likely genetic or incubation related.

I may just let the weak ones go if they don’t make it to hatch. There are plenty of healthy little buggers that need my attention.

The wry neck chick was a healthy, talkative, plump female.

(These are the healthy little buggers)
View attachment 4313325

Sorry to hear about some of the babies not making it. Sad. Hopefully no more issues!

 

[Strawberry74]

The first hatch is wrapped up. 5 babies expected to hatch and all 5 did... FINALLY. Four standard and one blonde. The last 2 were a bit pokey about it. First hatched Monday, 1 Tuesday and the last 2 Wednesday evening. I did "help" them by removing the outer parts of the shell once I was sure they were ready so they could push out. They probably would have done it on their own, but I wanted to go to bed and know they were released successfully from their egg.

I have vent sexed the first 3 and they all appear to be boys. I will do the other 2 this morning. The guy I am hatching for wants to send off eggshell DNA to confirm my findings this round and build my confidence going forward. Hopefully we won't need to do the samples next time!

I need to put together a care sheet for the buyers. Even though these aren't my babies, I had a hand in bringing them into the world and want to set them and their new owners up for success to raise these amazing babies.