Day 18 incubating

[Chicken poppy]

I’ve heard people taking about playing chicken noises next to the incubator to encourage them to hatch, is this a load of rubbish or would it work?

I beileve it would actually, it seemed to stimulate ours Much faster. (Youd want to use a recording of other chicks hatching and the mom, atleast for us that worked awesome. They often are very stimulated once their sibling emerges and do the same!) i dont know if you already know. but because the hatch date is so soon, be sure to let them dry in the incubator there for a while. I know it seems tempting to take them out cause they need food, but they dont, they eat their yolk for the first 24 hours or so, so they will not eat. They got nutrition from the egg. Let their feathers dry before handling them to be sure you dont accidentally pull their feathers and such, as thats very delicate.

 

[FC16]

I beileve it would actually, it seemed to stimulate ours Much faster. (Youd want to use a recording of other chicks hatching and the mom, atleast for us that worked awesome. They often are very stimulated once their sibling emerges and do the same!) i dont know if you already know. but because the hatch date is so soon, be sure to let them dry in the incubator there for a while. I know it seems tempting to take them out cause they need food, but they dont, they eat their yolk for the first 24 hours or so, so they will not eat. They got nutrition from the egg. Let their feathers dry before handling them to be sure you dont accidentally pull their feathers and such, as thats very delicate.

Have tried the noises a couple times, still no pips as of yet. Thanks for your advice

 

[Chicken poppy]

Have tried the noises a couple times, still no pips as of yet. Thanks for your advice

No problem, sometimes it takes longer then others, by the way, not all pips crack open! Some are actually internal pips, so it gets a small layer off, be sure to check! I needed a light to check because it was so faint and light colored it blended easily.

 

[FC16]

No problem, sometimes it takes longer then others, by the way, not all pips crack open! Some are actually internal pips, so it gets a small layer off, be sure to check! I needed a light to check because it was so faint and light colored it blended easily.

How is it you check for internal pips, is it done by candling the eggs? As I thought I wasn’t allowed to open the lid during lockdown

 

[Chicken poppy]

How is it you check for internal pips, is it done by candling the eggs? As I thought I wasn’t allowed to open the lid during lockdown

No, you dont, theres two layer on a chicks egg. A thin outer layed and inner layer, youll see the skin layer gently pecked, though its not probably to visable now. Also, you can, i just dont recommend it

 

[FC16]

No, you dont, theres two layer on a chicks egg. A thin outer layed and inner layer, youll see the skin layer gently pecked, though its not probably to visable now. Also, you can, i just dont recommend it

Ah okay, as it’s my first time incubating I probably wouldn’t risk getting them out anyway. I’ll keep an eye out though

 

[FC16]

Just as I was getting worried they may be dead, I’ve just seen one of the eggs has started to pip

 

[Huntmaster]

Just as I was getting worried they may be dead, I’ve just seen one of the eggs has started to pip
View attachment 2855246

Looks like they are right on time.

 

[FC16]

Looks like they are right on time.

It’s been over 3 hours since it pipped, I’ve heard or seen nothing since. Is this normal?

 

[Huntmaster]

It’s been over 3 hours since it pipped, I’ve heard or seen nothing since. Is this normal?

Yes it can take up to 24 hrs or more to zip after external pip. Hopefully others will pip soon. I know its hard to be calm your first few times but its a long slow process. Its absorbing its yolk right now and resting for its big moment. You should have hatchling by tomorrow morning if not this eve.