April Hatch Along

[Kyanite]

I have 9 chicks out of 14 eggs, pretty proud that my first time that many hatched. One is pipped, and I can see its beak moving, little progress is being made, and the membrane is light grey color. It started pipping yesterday afternoon, so do I just wait and see if he progresses more?

Yay! Congrats on your new chicks and first time success!
I'm not the person to answer your question though. Also a first timer here. But how long has the chick been pipped with no progress? That dictates if you should help I believe.

 

[hensareus]

How full do they look when you candle them?  Have your temps been a bit high?

The built in digital thermometer runs 99.5-100.2. The kitchen type probe thermometer I put in is right on 100. I candled Saturday and they did look full. Very dark where they're bodies are but I could see their down. And from the other pics I've seen, the air sac looks right.

 

[orrpeople]

These little bantam are lively hatchers!! 4 this morning, and 7 pips. Only 4 that don't have anything that I can see yet (although they're doing quite a bit of 'egg bowling' in there, so maybe there are hidden pips).

 

[WVduckchick]

The built in digital thermometer runs 99.5-100.2. The kitchen type probe thermometer I put in is right on 100. I candled Saturday and they did look full. Very dark where they're bodies are but I could see their down. And from the other pics I've seen, the air sac looks right.

Sounds like they may come a little early. If it were me, I would do some quick candling fairly often looking for drawdown and internal pips. As soon as an internal pip happens, that humidity needs cranked up, no matter what day the calendar says it is.

Which brings up the question -- are you positive on your day count? Not being mean, mis-counting happens to us all, at some point.

And regular hatching guidelines are just that... guidelines. Conditions can change them by a couple day swing either way.

 

[orrpeople]

I have lav orps!  I coulda sent you some eggs... 

You have no idea how tempted I've been to get some of these from you!! Your birds are just lovely!!
I had to first take care of the d.o.a. 55' flowery chick fiasco (post office strikes again) and purchase the 55 eggs yesterday to go with the 55s I have in the incubator due next week. I'm really hoping the PO can get this next shipment to me without incident!!

 

[WVduckchick]

You have no idea how tempted I've been to get some of these from you!! Your birds are just lovely!!
I had to first take care of the d.o.a. 55' flowery chick fiasco (post office strikes again) and purchase the 55 eggs yesterday to go with the 55s I have in the incubator due next week. I'm really hoping the PO can get this next shipment to me without incident!!

Congrats on your little cuties hatching!!

Hope the post office does you right this time! And just pm me for lav eggs if you ever want any.

 

[rookhomestead]

I have 9 chicks out of 14 eggs, pretty proud that my first time that many hatched. One is pipped, and I can see its beak moving, little progress is being made, and the membrane is light grey color. It started pipping yesterday afternoon, so do I just wait and see if he progresses more?

If the humidity is good, I'd let it do its thing, but I think the membrane is supposed to be white?.?. Not sure if light grey is ok. I'm a newbie.

 

[WVduckchick]

If the humidity is good, I'd let it do its thing, but I think the membrane is supposed to be white?.?. Not sure if light grey is ok. I'm a newbie.

Light gray is fine. Its probably just wet white. Brown is what you don't want to see. That means its getting too dry.

 

[hensareus]

Sounds like they may come a little early.  If it were me, I would do some quick candling fairly often looking for drawdown and internal pips.  As soon as an internal pip happens, that humidity needs cranked up, no matter what day the calendar says it is.

Which brings up the question -- are you positive on your day count?  Not being mean, mis-counting happens to us all, at some point.     And regular hatching guidelines are just that... guidelines.  Conditions can change them by a couple day swing either way. 

No offense taken. The older I get the more rattle-brained I am

. I have a calendar next to the incubator with the day I put them in and the hours I turn that I check off each time. I will candle my next turn at 2pm..........couldn't wait. I didn't see any internal pip. I just did my cool&mist and thought I'd better check.

 

[hensareus]

By the way, the air sacs are huge.