Any body up? can you help me out?

[Sparkelrose]

I have 4 chicks that hatched this morning. They want out so bad and I'm not seeing progress for the last 4 eggs. I thought I saw the start of a crack in one then the babies moved it so I'm not sure? They have been in there for12 hours now, they don't look completly dry but I think they were a little sticky. I don't want to wake up too dead babies, tomorrow is day 21 and there is 1 egg thats due a day later. So what do I do?

 

[Kittymomma]

Sit on your hands

They'll be fine in there until tomorrow or even the next day. That's why hatcheries ship day olds--they live off of the yolk that they absorb just before hatching for 2-3 days so you don't need to worry that they'll die from starvation or dehydrate. Opening the bator can really mess up the temp and humidity and cause lots of problems for any peeps that might still be trying to hatch.

If there is an emergency crank up the heat and the shower (hot) in your bathroom and open it up in there, but it's best just to leave it be as much as you can.

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

Leave them alone and don't open. They can last a couple of days on the leftover yolk.

 

[NoseyChickens]

They will be fine in there over night. They can live 2-3 days just on the yolk they absorbed in the egg. Let them dry out. The other eggs in there may still do thier thing. It's hard to wait and you will probably be up a few times tonight to check on them, but they will be fine.

 

[lemurchaser]

If there are no current pips, then I will often grab out any hatched chicks. I open the incubator just enough to get a hand in and snag chicks, then usually add a little hot water to boost the humidity back up when I'm done. It won't hurt them to stay in there though either, as long as your temps are stable.

 

[Illia]

I would say wait. It can often take a while, and your current chicks can live without food and water for up to 2 days.

 

[TACEYPERKINS]

It is a controversial topic, but I will tell you what I would do. Then, You can choose what ever sounds good to you! Just to let you know, the chicks can take up to about 24 hrs to fully hatch. It is up to you if you want to intervene or not.
I have been in this same situation, I chose to intervene because of the same reason, I don't want the babies to die in the middle of the night.
I started to chip away the pip opening very slowly, because mine were actually too dry. But, if you see bright red blood or yolk you have to stop. They have 2 things they have to do before they are ready to come out, one is absorb the yolk the other is absorb the blood. So if there is still one or the other you could kill them if you force them to come out prematurely! With that being said, don't be afraid to help them. I use a pair of tweezers to carefully chip away the shell. So it is very controlled, usually the chick can get through the lining after that, and I can also see what is happening inside and can assist easier if needed. Also make sure you keep them as warm as possible when you take them out. Good luck! And congrats on the chicks!

 

[Sparkelrose]

Thank you all so much for the quick replies! I will sit on my hands and try not to worry, I know I am just being a silly worried chick mama. I was doing this last night and this morning too, then had 4 hatch. It is my first time hatching, I am just so happy that I had 4 hatch I didn't really expect any to hatch. So I would be happy with the 4 but I want to give the last 4 a chance too. Thank you again, I'll stop worring and go to bed.

 

[Kittymomma]

Don't forget to update in the morning....AND we'll want to see some fuzzy butt pictures too!