- May 10, 2016
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So I had 4 eggs who hadn't hatched on the 23rd day (1/29). I've recently become more hands on, as I've had one or two chicks in the past who didnt hatch, and it looked to be because they were unable to externally pip. I candled all 4, one or two looked like they had popped internally but no movement. Float tested, purely to watch for movement in water. Only one jiggled. The one who I thought pipped, with no movement in water, I decided to make hole where aircell is. Chick was dead, malpositioned, what I had been seeing was the leg pushed against air cell. I opened the 3 I suspected were dead, and they all were, all very malpositioned with head at pointy side. I believe one had internally pipped but I hadn't seen the others pip. Also, I dont know if this helps determine Time of Death, but 2 of the 3 dead chicks had pretty much unabsorbed yolks, whereas the third only had about a dime-size left to absorb.
Back to the assist. The 4th egg, I was taking no chances, made a bigger hold than I anticipated. Chick was wriggling but no peeping, and I didnt see pip. I couldnt find beak, so I just pulled at a bit of membrane to t least open it. Little bit of blood, so I stopped. I began lathering membrane with coconut oil. (I eventually found beak and she pipped, not sure if that was before or after my assistance). Beak is in middle side of egg. I've just been going in there occasionally and putting coconut oil with a q tip on membrane. The membrane feels harder even though its moist. This morning, much more of the veins were absorbed. Shes definitely feisty, cheeping loud and wiggling when I'm applying coconut oil (not near her beak). She hasnt made much progress, and I know I need to sit back and be patient. It's hard, knowing I lost 3 others to malpositioning that maybe I could have saved.
Anyway, any recomendations/advice? It seems like at this point I've given her enough she should be able to break herself out with time, she doesnt have to kick shell open even, which I know is something we usually want them to do.
Also, for reference, these are Ameraucana chicks, all eggs were set within 10 days of being laid, eggs were turned 2-5 times a day until day 17 (there were 2 or 3 nights I was not able to turn them 3 times). Humidity was kept around 55% until day 17, and then it was kept between 70-75%. 16 eggs were set, one quit around day 9 but the rest developed well. Everyone else Hatched relatively quickly. I had one 1-day early Hatcher, the majority Hatched on day 21, and 4 or so on day 22. What's interesting is all 4 problem eggs are black chicks. All of my blue chicks Hatched with no issues, so as of right now I only have 2 black chicks downstairs.
Again, any tips or advice is appreciated. Please understand I am newer to hatching, and while I know most breeders prefer hands-off, when I saw my 3 chicks were dead, I wasnt taking any chances.
Back to the assist. The 4th egg, I was taking no chances, made a bigger hold than I anticipated. Chick was wriggling but no peeping, and I didnt see pip. I couldnt find beak, so I just pulled at a bit of membrane to t least open it. Little bit of blood, so I stopped. I began lathering membrane with coconut oil. (I eventually found beak and she pipped, not sure if that was before or after my assistance). Beak is in middle side of egg. I've just been going in there occasionally and putting coconut oil with a q tip on membrane. The membrane feels harder even though its moist. This morning, much more of the veins were absorbed. Shes definitely feisty, cheeping loud and wiggling when I'm applying coconut oil (not near her beak). She hasnt made much progress, and I know I need to sit back and be patient. It's hard, knowing I lost 3 others to malpositioning that maybe I could have saved.
Anyway, any recomendations/advice? It seems like at this point I've given her enough she should be able to break herself out with time, she doesnt have to kick shell open even, which I know is something we usually want them to do.
Also, for reference, these are Ameraucana chicks, all eggs were set within 10 days of being laid, eggs were turned 2-5 times a day until day 17 (there were 2 or 3 nights I was not able to turn them 3 times). Humidity was kept around 55% until day 17, and then it was kept between 70-75%. 16 eggs were set, one quit around day 9 but the rest developed well. Everyone else Hatched relatively quickly. I had one 1-day early Hatcher, the majority Hatched on day 21, and 4 or so on day 22. What's interesting is all 4 problem eggs are black chicks. All of my blue chicks Hatched with no issues, so as of right now I only have 2 black chicks downstairs.
Again, any tips or advice is appreciated. Please understand I am newer to hatching, and while I know most breeders prefer hands-off, when I saw my 3 chicks were dead, I wasnt taking any chances.
