3 Questions re: this site's hatch intervention guide

[nao57]

So I had 2 questions regarding this guide. I've been looking at it, and its very helpful. But I want to make sure I'm understanding it right.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/intervention-helping-your-chicks-hatch.9316/

1) Am I understanding the guide right that intervening when they popped the outer shell but can't get through the inner membrane that that is intervention necessary? It seems to be talking about unzipping. I see a chick trying to get through but its slow.

2) How fast should their pace and breaking it open be in terms of per hour?

3) Do the ducklings and chicks eat the inner membrane while they are chipping through it? Is this maybe why they don't need food the first day etc? (This isn't talked about in the guide I think). But its interesting to consider. If they are using the membrane as a vitamin drink while moving then, that might explain a lot.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Do the ducklings and chicks eat the inner membrane while they are chipping through it? Is this maybe why they don't need food the first day etc?

The membrane stays with the egg shell after hatch.

They absorb the yolk into their abdomen during hatch which will sustain them for about 3 days.

If you assist too soon.. there are still blood vessels attached to that membrane and the may bleed out OR the yolk may not be absorbed and still hanging out of the navel.

Unzipping... is after the initial external pip (out shell crack), they can rest up to 24 hours before starting to unzip. Unzipping is the process of breaking the shell the rest of the way around. Once started it often goes quickly.

Did I understand your question accurately? If not, please post photos of what you're trying to ask.

Happy hatching!

Also.. you can see if this incubation guide helps at all..
Incubation guide