Big chicks can't seem to zip-when to help???

[hinkjc]

You should not have to help chicks hatch ever. I just hatched 18 eggs from first time layers and every egg hatched on its own. These were their very first eggs and against my better judgment, but I decided to set them. They had no problems hatching on their own and shouldn't if the incubation settings are appropriate and the bator is not opened at hatch time.

As I read this post more, I am thinking opening the bator 3 times a day is your problem and will hinder a successful hatch. I'm sorry you're having these troubles and hope some more chicks hatch ok for you.

 

[Akane]

You shouldn't have to but sometimes we try to hatch eggs that really shouldn't have hatched anyway. The eggs I had trouble with were half the size of eggs from the same breed that I ordered later from another source and the 2 surviving chicks have turned out to be twice as big as those ones I hatched from larger eggs. The eggs were way too small for what they should have been for those chicks with extremely pointed ends. The chicks were most definitely stuck and most of them with their heads under their wings to the point their beaks couldn't even peck at the shell to pip. I've heard of similar happening when small hens are crossed with standard roos.

 

[daze333]

Thank you for all of your help and advice. I will try putting the water and sponges at the egg level, this should help. I have not turned them or opened 3 times a day since day 18. This is day 20. For the last two days I have opened once a day to fill water. My first clutch piped at 18 1/2 days. I have 3 hatched now, and 11 piped still in the bator. Yes, I leave the chicks until they start walking pretty good and rocking the other eggs around.

These are full breed standards bought on ebay. One is a polish and he seems so crammed, you can only see the very tip of his beak. His wing and body are smashing his beak in the middle. I will wait as long as I can and see how it goes. The hum has stayed pretty good since they are hatching, probably the wet chicks.

 

[daze333]

I added the sponges and water on the egg level and it has gotten the hum up nicely! And it is staying there too. My polish that I was worried about just hatched all by herself! I am impressed!
I am now having more faith that they can do it themselves! (I know I have the mind of a newbie!)

 

[CindyS]

sounds like you are doing an excellent job of incubating with your homade incubator! I know it seems like they have no room but really they dont have much!

 

[daze333]

Thank you for the pat on the back!
A golden pheonix just hatched, ooooh she is pretty! It is so cute when their head comes out but they are still sitting in the egg!

 

[cthrash1]

Congratulations on your hatch!!!

Cindy

 

[swtangel321]

Hope they all hatch for you, I know how important they are to you ???

BTW: I will email you back today !!

 

[birdlover]

 

[daze333]

The humidity is holding at low 60's. 14 chicks have hatched in the last 28 hours! They are so cute! They all dogpile up and then one moves and they all have to rearrange! It's halarious! I don't know how they get any sleep! I will send pics soon!