Accidentally opened the incubator

[Zoemay]

Hi all I'm panicking a little! This is my first incubation hatch because I usually have a broody hen but wanted to try something new. It is day 18 so I went to open the Bator one last time before lock down so I could candle one egg to make sure everything was fine. My mistake is here, because halfway through candling I heard a chirp! The egg had not pipped yet no beak or nothing but I could hear chirping. I panicked and closed the incubator lid, filled it with water so my humidity went right back up to 70% and now I'm gritting my teeth! Will this be okay? Will the chick still make it or have I screwed him over? Over thinking this a bit but I feel terrible!

 

[JaeG]

It will be absolutely fine. Sounds like the chick has pipped internally. It will take around 24 hours from internal to external pip, then it could be another 24 hours before the chick starts to unzip so be patient. Exciting!

 

[Willow2253]

The chick should be fine. It only becomes more risky once eggs have externally pipped, because the membrane is exposed at that point and more at risk of drying out. Good luck!