Can I help these chicks? Update

[BookWorm243]

I have 5 eggs that have been in lock down since the 9th and have not pipped. I candled them and I can see the chick and movement. I have had problems with the 3 chicks that hatched. They where all shrink wrapped. I lost my 4th chick to it she could not pip all the way and died within an hour

Can I do anything to help the poor chicks that are stuck in these eggs?

 

[RGWright]

It's up to you on this one. I would. Here's a Answers.com suggestion, which I do nearly the same technique myself when worst comes to worst:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_can_you_help_a_chicken_egg_hatch

 

[zatsdeb]

I've taken a warm wet washcloth and set the egg in it, kinda cradle the egg, it worked on an egg I was having the same problem with, it was a late bloomer after all the others hatched I thought the hatch was over when I heard it peep and the humidity was too low by then.

 

[Crayonsmom]

If they haven't pipped yet, I would wait. I have 3 duck eggs that went on lock down on the 7th and are only starting to make noise now. Still no pips though. They're late, but sicne yours are earlier (even though they're chickens) maybe you can wait another day or two?

 

[ScissorChick]

Hmm. It's all up to you. I would, however wait another 2-3 days.

If they're not going to hatch, maybe it's just not meant to be?

I wish I never helped the last egg I had. It turned out horrible.

You have to know what your doing, and make sure help is

actually needed, and think it over. Did temps ever get really low

during incubation? Low temps slow development, causing late

hatchers. I had one pip on the 27-28 day, because of low temps.

Wishing you the best of luck with your eggs

ScissorChick

 

[BookWorm243]

Thanks everyone,
I went ahead and took a knife and poked a hole in the shell, and chipped it back. Each chick was dead and when all was said and done I could see from inside the shell where they tried to pip and couldn't

I feel like I should of help yesterday but I was hoping everyone would be right and they would just be late. I honestly think they where already dead by some time yesterday afternoon. I candled them last night and could not see much movement but I was hoping.

Thanks everyone for the ideas and next time around I will keep these helpful hints you gave me in mind.

 

[Cynthia12]

Quote:
That's a good site that RG sent here.

I pipped a few just this morning. Shrink wrapped, couldn't reach the shell. I have found, that it needs to be done many times with shipped eggs that have air sacs that go way up the side, so I mark the shell where the air sac is before going into lock down.
Anyway, I am taking my time. I've had to do this many times, as like you said, they will shrink wrap and die in the shell if they can't get air. I pip around their beak, if I see blood, I stop, back it goes for several hrs..then try again later, keeping humidity up for sure. Sometimes they get strong enough to get out with the little help, sometimes not, and I have to help them all the way out..but, I take hrs. to do this as they absorb any blood or yolk that could be left.
Good luck...

 

[youngbiddy]

I'm so sorry; I know how you feel.

 

[hoppy]

If I have a question if I should go in, I tap on the eggshell and listen for chirping or pipping noises. if I hear nothing, I go in then. if I do hear something as long as it's not screaming, I wait and check again in a few hours. if it's screaming, I go right in.

 

[latebloomer]

Quote:
unfortunately, so do i.