Anxious, help!

[Offshoreorca]

First hatcher!!! I can't believe it!!!!!!!! Her name is Zipper (very creative, I know) and I love her. She is climbing all over the other eggs.

Try to keep the room where the incubator is dark so that she isn't too active in there - she needs to rest

 

[5littleeggs]

Thank you! I was wondering, how big should a chick's legs be? They look kind of big for her and she isn't walking like other chicks I've seen. Then again, I guess I've never seen a newly hatched chick before. Advice?

 

[Offshoreorca]

Thank you! I was wondering, how big should a chick's legs be? They look kind of big for her and she isn't walking like other chicks I've seen. Then again, I guess I've never seen a newly hatched chick before. Advice?

It should be fine - they take a while to get their bearings with footing so it's not a concern yet. If she seems to have trouble getting around once she dries off and rests a bit, then you might have to help her along with a split. She'll be pretty awkward for the first little bit.

 

[5littleeggs]

Idk if anyone wants to hear these updates, but I plan to keep a record of my first hatch on this thread.

Update: Zipper is getting fluffy and resting. There are four eggs left (2 brown, 1 more white, and a small egg from our silky hen). They are all wobbling and some cheep back at Zipper. Both of the brown eggs have pipped (I have already mentioned one of them before). I am hoping for a perfect hatch because when I candled the eggs on day 7 I had 100% fertility!

 

[5littleeggs]

Oh, I forgot! Soooooo sorry to have so many questions, but I feel like I need to ask.
Once Zipper is fluffy dont I need to move him/her to the brooder? I feel like she will need to get some food and water in her by then.
I'm concerned because 2 other eggs have pipped and I dont want to harm them by opening the incubator. What should l do?

 

[AltonaAcres]

A chick can survive 24 hours w/o food or water bc they just absorbed their yolk.

 

[5littleeggs]

Good to know, thanks!

 

[Offshoreorca]

Good to know, thanks!

Yes, better to leave the fluffy one in as you won't risk the others to a sharp drop in temperature and humidity. What incubator are you using? I have a Brinsea Mini Advance II and I decided to move two out as they were active and rolling over zipping eggs after 12 hours in the incubator. I didn't have any impact on the hatching eggs, but I was super quick and then left the incubator alone for a minimum of 12 hours afterwards (until the rest of the hatch had come out of the eggs and dried off). They were also my test hatch from my hens and not expensive hatching eggs, so I wasn't as concerned about the risk. So, in summary, it's best the leave the incubator alone, especially if you don't know what effects you will have if you open it. Some incubators take it better than others. If you have to, be really quick (you can mist the eggs gently as you open/close) - but leave alone if you can.

 

[5littleeggs]

I have a Janoel. I will add a picture:

 

[Offshoreorca]

I have a Janoel. I will add a picture:

I don't know how well those incubators will keep humidity, but if you just crack it open and take the chicks out quickly lifting the lid the least amount possible, you might get away with it if worse comes to worse. Just make sure you don't open it unless you have to - the chicks will be good for at least 24hrs and likely up to 48hrs.