BAD PIP URGEBT HELP NEEDED

[wolfandfinch]

Thank you for saying what I know but can't keep at the front of my mind - I'm just too excited and I doubt myself that I've done everything right during incubation. Ever since my first hatch failed so spectacularly I assume I'm incapable haha. I haven't opened the bator. The humidity is quite high, 85% so I have the red vent open and plenty of oxygen is getting in. Wish this little chick luck!

 

[Farmer Viola]

85% is a bit high, try to get it around 65-70% when you can. the chick hatching causes the spike, so that is normal. but once it's out, maybe you can adjust it(?). I use small pieces of cut up sponges so I can remove a little humidity at a time.

if it sits too high for too long, I think there is a risk of drowning the other chicks. the humidity needs to be a bit lower since they are still evaporating through day 21, and it is only day 19. if it were day 21-22-23 I think sitting at 85% would be less problematic. hope this helps

I do not use the red vent plugs at all - and lockdown is definitely the time to remove them if you have been using them. what incubator is it?

 

[wolfandfinch]

I'm not sure how to adjust the humidity without opening the incubator. I was worried it was too high but yesterday it was at 70% when I left and when I got in at noon today it was only 45%. I squeezed more water through and it got the towel the eggs are resting on wet. I know it will dry out with the fan going. Also, if this little guy makes it out and dries out I will be opening it up tomorrow to get him/her to the brooder, right? If that's too long I need to take out all the eggs to get that stupid towel out. Never put a towel in! Lol

 

[Farmer Viola]

well, it's true, you will have to open the incubator to adjust it. I would wait until the timing is just right. Don't open the incubator if a chick is in process of pip or zip, since their membrane is exposed. if this 1 chick hatches out soon, that may be your window before another pip happens.

I put the sponge pieces close to the outside edge of the bator so I can open it just a crack and place it in or take it out. hmm what else.. I keep the room 75-80 and 55% so I tell myself that helps when I do have to open it.

 

[wolfandfinch]

Ok perfect that's what I was thinking. I really appreciate your advice, thank you so much! It's funny how you read so much and you know it but when things actually start to happen you go bonkers and doubt it all ha!

 

[Farmer Viola]

LOL I completely understand what you mean!! my first hatch I was completely going out of my mind.. I had some hatch early, and some hatch as late as day 23 which I was SURE were dead. very stressful.

then afterwards you spend so much time analyzing what happened, and how you can improve for next time. I forgot what the stress was like, until I just recently set eggs again. Day 4 here, and I can't stop checking them! There's not anything to even see!

 

[wolfandfinch]

Yup, that's it exactly! I really wasn't expecting this today either, it's day 19!! This is in a preschool so pretty soon they're going to want To go home and this chick is going to be on it's own until 8:30 tomorrow morning. I hate that!! I want to be here right when it pops out lol. If it does. I'm no cynical now

 

[Farmer Viola]

that's ok, it will be the 24 hours you need to know if you should intervene
sometimes being forced to leave is a GOOD thing! if it was in your house you would never get anything done, like me!! lol

 

[wolfandfinch]

At least I would have a good excuse for the mess hahaha

 

[scotter]

I would candle and check the air cell. If it is not visible and has collapsed (occupied by the chick) then it may be mispositioned and not have the range of motion to zip the shell. I had 6 in my last hatch that did this and the two that I did not assist died. The ones I helped are healthy and active. This little guy was the last in my hatch. When I opened the shell so he could begin working his way out, he literally popped out and sat up staring at me. You can see his foot to left, his head was under it, no way to zip