hey please help me out. I have D'uccles hatching. It began at 10:30 last night. The one egg started first, & had a tiny hole in it, but no real cracks. It hasn't zipped at all. I took tweezers and just wiggled the hole so it could get some cracks to help it zip. What else should I do?
I would leave it alone for 24 hours from the pip. They will often do that and then sit there because they need to absorb the yolk.
Now it depends on the size of the hole. If too big, moisture will be lost too quickly and the chick may get stuck. Look for the membrane turning brown at the pip. The best thing to do is to watch the egg. If you saw the beak and it was clear of liquid, then let it sit.
Look for Sally Sunshines Guide to assisted hatching.