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Dang commercials ...!Aaaahhh.... that explains a lot. Thanks. And now back to our regularly scheduled programming. We apologize for the interruption.
I am worried. The egg that started pipping after is out. Even though my humidity is high that tiny few seconds of checking then getting so excited I took a photo which was more seconds has caused the membrane to harden. My kitchen is 69% humidity so I don’t understand. I’ve just softened it with water and picked it away. And made a bigger hole. I won’t do anymore. The other baby is out and very boisterous. But I can’t quite feel that joy yet. Though I am overjoyed she’s a girl. Who will be staying there for a quite a while until the rest appear I think. I kept humidity on the high side as I knew I’d have toThey will manage...don't worry.
I am worried. The egg that started pipping after is out. Even though my humidity is high that tiny few seconds of checking then getting so excited I took a photo which was more seconds has caused the membrane to harden. My kitchen is 69% humidity so I don’t understand. I’ve just softened it with water and picked it away. And made a bigger hole. I won’t do anymore. The other baby is out and very boisterous. But I can’t quite feel that joy yet. Though I am overjoyed she’s a girl. Who will be staying there for a quite a while until the rest appear I think. I kept humidity on the high side as I knew I’d have to
I used coconut oil. It still seems pretty soft. I added warm water and the humidity went up to 99 so it got a good shot of hunidty. Having to open it a little till it stabilises. Oh my this is hard! I’ve kept chickens before but not sure anything has prepared me for this!I myself use coconut oil to keep the membrane soft and wet. I too couldn't resist opening the lid, resulting in humidity dropping fast and taking it's time to recover back to its settings. As a result the membrane started to dry out pretty fast and had started to wrap itself around the babies. So I very gently and carefully picked a bit of the scale away (making sure I didn't rupture a vain) and carefully rubbed some coconut oil on it. Works like a charm and keeps things moist. Just make sure you don't put it on their nostrils (VERY gently push some of the membrane away from it with your finger, if needed).
GOOD LUCK!![]()
I used coconut oil. It still seems pretty soft. I added warm water and the humidity went up to 99 so it got a good shot of hunidty. Having to open it a little till it stabilises. Oh my this is hard! I’ve kept chickens before but not sure anything has prepared me for this!
My feeling now is that it’s not my fault because the humidity in the kitchen is 70%. I think it’s just struggling to get out. It’s just poking it’s beak out the same hole all the time. The cheer squad is having some time out. I hope she’s not an only chick. The other 7 eggs are sitting like rocks!
Some chicks do struggle to get out. Like I said, I too had to assist one with the external pip (making a small hole at first and then making it large enough so it can stick its beak out). I took way too long by itself and was getting weaker by the hour. And the fact its air cell was smaller from start on than the other one didn't help it either. Those are the times in my opinion that human intervention is needed to give it a better chance of survival.
That chick with it's belly up.... TOO FUNNY!![]()
Thank you for telling me I’m not alone
I intervened. The membrane had got really hard around the pip for quite a bit. It’s almost out now but looks so tired. And has a sister bouncing all over it. This really should happen when I’m asleep. Feel so bad for experimenting on these wee guys. I have read do not intervene but this is such an unnatural process and if I’ve made the mistake with humidity I wanted to give it a chance. It’s been struggling for 18 hours and was making no progress. It’s very weak and tired but will just have to wait and see now. How long do they take to stand up after hatching?