Day 16

[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!

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

. Well we have 13 chicks as of right now. One is still trying to get outta shell, two needed assistance but are doing well, have moved six to the play pen with heat water and food. Others still need to dry some and about three have hatched this morning. I was scared helping but I took it slow and the chicks reaction was as if it knew I was helping to release it. I did lose two one the chicks rolled and seemed like the shell when back in place perfectly and them glued closed, the second one popped on the bottom and we didn't get it in time it's gone I'm pretty sure peeks sticking out and no movement in over six hours. Then one egg has done nothing yet. It could pip today maybe it is day 21 I am happy this is my first hatch and 13 maybe 14 live chicks outta 17 eggs I think that's great. Thank you so much for all your help. Got four eggs this morning from my fertile hens got them put back for next hatch when I get baton cleaned and get enough to be worth it. I am a numbers gal for sure. Have a great day as soon as everyone's dry I will post pictures.

 

[orrpeople]

Great news and actually quite a good percentage hatch!! Congratulations! You should join one of the hatchalongs - they're great because everyone is incubating at the same time, and we toss out questions, comments and stories to each other through the whole process. I am currently in the February one and the people are great!
Enjoy your little ones!!

 

[orrpeople]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1150930/february-2017-hatch-a-long/170#post_18059951

This is the one I am part of.