Day 16

[orrpeople]

Thank you I am happy to say that today is day 20 and we have pip in six of 17 eggs. Now what? I guess I am to just set and wait, right? I have tried so many times with no results, so I am very very excited here. Any suggestions on what's next or how long I'll be waiting? Seen pips at 820 this morning. It's now 1040 with no change. Wish me luck.

A pip can last up to 24 hours while they absorb the yolk. Just relax and let it happen.

 

[geina]

Ok so more than likely no chicks til tomorrow which will be day 21. I am just so wanting to see my babies, my hubby keeps telling they will get here when they get here calm down. Lol sorry everyone this is my first real hatch. Make sure I have this straight they could be as is just a hole in shell for the next 24 hrs is that right? I want progress but yes I want healthy chicks more. The eggs come from our hen and roo and where all moving at lock down so I am hoping for 100 percent hatch and 17 babies, what are my odds? Thanks everyone I do appreciate your help

 

[orrpeople]

Ok so more than likely no chicks til tomorrow which will be day 21. I am just so wanting to see my babies, my hubby keeps telling they will get here when they get here calm down. Lol sorry everyone this is my first real hatch. Make sure I have this straight they could be as is just a hole in shell for the next 24 hrs is that right? I want progress but yes I want healthy chicks more. The eggs come from our hen and roo and where all moving at lock down so I am hoping for 100 percent hatch and 17 babies, what are my odds? Thanks everyone I do appreciate your help

Yep, those little babies will poke a hole in the shell and then sleep a whole day! Try hard not to interfere during this time. They are still absorbing yolk and the blood vessels are diminishing during this time. Then, some of them will surprise you and go zipping around their shell the minute you go turn your back! Once they begin to zip (break the shell all the way around) then they will be out in 15-45 minutes! It's worth every second of the wait!!

 

[geina]

Yep, those little babies will poke a hole in the shell and then sleep a whole day! Try hard not to interfere during this time. They are still absorbing yolk and the blood vessels are diminishing during this time. Then, some of them will surprise you and go zipping around their shell the minute you go turn your back! Once they begin to zip (break the shell all the way around) then they will be out in 15-45 minutes! It's worth every second of the wait!!

We are at 9 of 17 and the first few are making bigger holes. I would never help I believe the strong survive and nature takes care of the rules. I so wanted to pull off a piece of shell that was hanging but I know better and it has fallen so you can see the chick alittle. It has pipped the wrong end if there is one, lol but seems to be fine chirping and progress somewhat so I'm just setting back waiting worrying that I'll miss the actual hatch just know it'll happening the middle of night and I'll se fast asleep. Thanks for your help, what's the odds of 17 chicks from 17 eggs?

 

[geina]

We have our first chick hatched. This is the best hubby and I are glued to the incubator ones zipping slowly. Then got eight pips one is on the bottom I hope it does ok. Poor baby so tired it's resting now. Thanks everyone yet another question how soon will it start getting up and trying to move around I know it must be exhausted.

 

[orrpeople]

Congratulations! Pictures???

 

[geina]

I just want to cry checked on eggs chicks and I have seven hatched but one had cracked with a large piece of shell and it sealed closed after being rolled by a chick. Why does this happen? I have a couple with large holes pipped but don't think they have made it. Then a few that haven't done anything but it is only day 21 today. Can someone explain. I wasn't prepared for a egg to seal shut on my chick and kill it. Thanks so much

 

[orrpeople]

I just want to cry checked on eggs chicks and I have seven hatched but one had cracked with a large piece of shell and it sealed closed after being rolled by a chick. Why does this happen? I have a couple with large holes pipped but don't think they have made it. Then a few that haven't done anything but it is only day 21 today. Can someone explain. I wasn't prepared for a egg to seal shut on my chick and kill it. Thanks so much

Are you sure it killed it? Often chicks really roll the eggs around and they somehow survive. Think of the broody and her nest with not only other chicks, but her in there as well. They're tougher than we give them credit for.
Give them all some more time - you can quickly grab the dried, fluffed out chicks if they're getting too rambunctious for your comfort level, just be very quick and make sure humidity doesn't drop too low.
I have heard stories on this site of plenty of day 22 hatches, and even a few on 23.

 

[geina]

Welcome to BYC!
My first answer to your question is another question! Are your eggs local or shipped? In my experience, this makes a huge difference in the outcome after lockdown. Almost every egg from my flock, or from local folks that make it to day 18 will hatch (have had one or two exceptions, but rarely). Shipped eggs are a different story. Depending on how badly mishapen their air sacks are, I have gotten as few as half the eggs that locked down, and as many as about 90%. I have heard of 100% shipped hatches, I just haven't ever experienced it!
Best of luck to you and your little chicks!

No it's fine if I'd caught it early enough I could have removed the shell and saved it but when they rolled it they closed the shell back and it looks as if it's been glued. Then I have another that the shell is fine but it's stuck in the membrane and it's drying up where they baby can't get up and it's really trying. Still have one that's working on it's shell and if it hatches I will have 11 live outta 17 and five that have no signs of pips yet. But that's a good hatch right? Thank you everyone

 

[orrpeople]

No it's fine if I'd caught it early enough I could have removed the shell and saved it but when they rolled it they closed the shell back and it looks as if it's been glued. Then I have another that the shell is fine but it's stuck in the membrane and it's drying up where they baby can't get up and it's really trying. Still have one that's working on it's shell and if it hatches I will have 11 live outta 17 and five that have no signs of pips yet. But that's a good hatch right? Thank you everyone

If you have an egg that has zipped and the membrane is stuck, that's a sign your humidity is too low and you can assist. It's not a sign of weakness in the chick. I did an assist with my last hatch because somehow my incubator dropped humidity. All chicks are pretty miraculous, so enjoy your babies!
I found this article to be very helpful.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching