24 hour old pip

[cjschickens]

You have my sympathy ! We just hatched out our first ever batch of chicks on Fri. I started with 36 eggs and ended up with 21 alive peeps. We had a little giant incubator, and found out on BYC that they are not a very good one. I had to constantly adjust the temp. It did not have a fan, and most the eggs that were bad was on the third row of our turner. Was that a hot or cold spot ? We now have a Hova-Bator, and we just set 30 more eggs. Our children are so fascinated by this process, that I couldn't resist doing it for them again ! Keep reading for hints and your next batch will go better !

 

[Avonshire]

So the baby you hand fed died? I am so sorry. I agree except you hear all these stories of how they helped the chick and all was fine! But my other egg that pipped today but has done nothing will get no help from me. I was hoping to get more than one chick. I feel bad for the one chick because it is lonely. It helps though to have a plan to try again in a few weeks. The chick that I helped is still very lethargic. Just laying around. Not up and walking. It does chirp pretty loud every once in a while which surprises me that it has the strength for it. It is still in the incubator. I am just going to leave it overnight and check it in the morning. We will see!

 

[Avonshire]

ok so it is like the chick does not know which way is up. It kind of flounders on its back or side but can't get its legs under it. So sad. I keep hoping for some miraculous recovery.

 

[pulletmom#1]

i had a single chick hatch too. and i put a cosmetic mirror in with mine and it thought it had another chick in with it. it calmed right down. you might try that, it helped mine not be so lonely.

 

[KLRA]

Well, newly hatched chicks seem to act like they're extremely intoxicated (this is what it reminds me of), and the random loud chirping is normal too. Also, my chicks usually wait until they've been pipped for 24 hours before they start making anymore progress. Yes, every time! It kills me!

99.5 is low for a still-air incubator... I don't use still air but I believe it's supposed to run around 101...? Not sure on that temp, but I know it's supposed to be a bit warmer and that's why your babies are taking some extra time to hatch. Sounds like things are going fine other than that, though don't be discouraged!

 

[Tripp16]

How long has the chick been out now? How is it doing?

I know how you feel! I hatched out 9 silkie eggs and the first one to hatch pipped on the wrong end. I couldnt resist helping and I may have done more bad then good. (Thats why when hatch day comes I try to find something to do. )

Anyways the chick made it but it was over 24 hours before I got it out and I had to eventually rip her out of the shell!

She had shell stuck to her for a few days after hatch and she slept alot of the time. But now she is a 5 month old little buff silkie hen. I am soo glad I saved her! For one she was the only hen out of 9 and she was the only buff!

I hope your chick makes it. Dont be discouraged we all break the rule of not opening the bator sometime. My friend refuses to lockdown. She ALWAYS help one or two out...

 

[KLRA]

How are things going today?

 

[Avonshire]

Oh about as bad as they could get. The chick was quite alive this morning BUT it could not stay upright. Its neck was very flimsy and it could not use its legs. It tried but just flailed around on its back. I decided to cull it--which, let me tell you, was not easy or fun. I also have this other egg that pipped yesterday, then started to zip. It had stopped so I opened to check and see if it had died. I did not feel any movement or hear any chirping but I did see quite a bit of blood. I thought it was dead but I put it back in the incubator with plans to get rid of it in a bit. Well i went back and I swear it zipped more. Now we are in the same situation as my other egg. I don't know if I should still give it a chance or just get rid of it. I have decided to give it until tomorrow morning to come out on its own. Then if nothing still I will clean out the incubator in the morning. It has been such a stressful, emotional day(hatching!). I have plans to try again. I am going to get eggs from someone different and I hope all that I have learned will help me to have a better hatch next time.

 

[MoriahQuilts]

when you are ready to try again If you would like me to walk you through the hatch from start to finish PM me....my hatch rate is 99% and I have been doing it for over 30 years

Maybe you should start a thread of newby and discouraged hatchers and walk us ALL through it. I'm in. Bator will be empty om three days and I've got eggs waiting.

Ann

 

[Alihbaloch]

HEY DOES ANYONE KNOW WHICH END IS THE EGG IS SUPPOSED TO PIP?
IS IT RANDOM?
POINTY END?
OR THE BIG END?