Day 21-22 Incubation of 36 welsummers UPDATE

[kafred]

Thanks all. I can definitely see an external pip on the egg in question. There is a little beak poking through and chirping away. My concern is that if that is onfact an internal pip, they wont be able to move much. My first step is going to be finding out what the heck is in that air cell. If it is just a toe I will let him work a little more, as there are not any ssigns of distress. If it is a twin, I will go on to the assisted hatch. Will keep everyone updated and I will try to get some pictures.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Thanks all. I can definitely see an external pip on the egg in question. There is a little beak poking through and chirping away. My concern is that if that is onfact an internal pip, they wont be able to move much. My first step is going to be finding out what the heck is in that air cell. If it is just a toe I will let him work a little more, as there are not any ssigns of distress. If it is a twin, I will go on to the assisted hatch. Will keep everyone updated and I will try to get some pictures.

Sounds good! We'll be waiting.

 

[kafred]

So I carefully made a hole. That takes a LOT of patience. Phew. But that tricky lil bugger had his leg bent (do they have knees?) which was the mystery object in the cell. I had to peel morw egg then I would have liked. I covered the exposed membrane with bacitracin and have him in a warm wet washcloth in the incubator. I am carefully monitoring him. I made a bed on the floor next to the bator and watching netflix. How ridic!! Thank you all for the great advice. If I have any more questions I will let you wonderful people know. P.S. I currently have another zipper. He/she is moving very quickly.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

So I carefully made a hole. That takes a LOT of patience. Phew. But that tricky lil bugger had his leg bent (do they have knees?) which was the mystery object in the cell. I had to peel morw egg then I would have liked. I covered the exposed membrane with bacitracin and have him in a warm wet washcloth in the incubator. I am carefully monitoring him. I made a bed on the floor next to the bator and watching netflix. How ridic!! Thank you all for the great advice. If I have any more questions I will let you wonderful people know. P.S. I currently have another zipper. He/she is moving very quickly.

That's interesting. I think you'll find that his positioning in the shell may make it hard for him to be able to successfully hatch by himself. I had a malepositioned pipper that I had increased the pip hole to check on her position and when I did I had little toes sticking out from on top of the beak...lol Ya, she had to be assisted. She's now almost a year old and one of my best layers.

 

[kafred]

He has made no progress. I am going to go ahead with assisting. Will let you know. Thanks.

 

[FridayYet]

Good luck!

 

[chickendreams24]

Yes good luck. Take it slow but I would definitely go ahead with assisting. Let us know how it comes out.

 

[sumi]

How's things going now? I got busy yesterday evening and didn't have time to check in. Feeling half disappointed and half relieved that it's not twins! lol Someone here successfully hatched twins once and did a great thread on it, you can read it here, Double Yolk Egg Hatch

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I'm curious too as to what happened.

 

[kafred]

Hey everyone. So I went ahead with the assisted. Last night was a long night! So the bird i dubbed surgio (surgery ) seemed okay but as I said had not progressed in day 21 or 22. The inner membrane appeared transparent so I felt great about that. So as I worked the shell and membranes back things went well. Until he decided to try and break loose. He kicked most of the shell I had yet investigated, about 1/4. Well lo and behold there was a huge rush of blood. So here is where I picked up my speed and worked quickly. I got all membrane and shell off and saw that the cord was bleeding near the shell and he had a TINY and I mean tiny amount of yolk that was unabsorbed. So I made a rash, split second decision to tie both off and clip. So last night he was weak. I figured because he was early and had not had to do the work of hatching. Finally at around 3 I decided there was nothing more I could do for him. Well I woke up to a seemingly very healthy surgio. Plus another chick, one more zipper and 2 pipers. So if these pips hatch I will have 7 that have hatched thus far. I am going to let the others sit for a day or two and see what happens.
Last night my first two hatches were pecking at the place I tied off surgio so I moved them to the brooder. They are doing great today.
I just noticed someone asked if my eggs were shipped. They were not. One of the local farmers (who i got bunnies and am getting 2 goats from) sold them to me for a buck a dozen. Thank you all for yoyr suggestions and kind words. It is greatly appreciated. Oh and last thing, the zipper I woke up to was malaligned in the same place as surgio but hatched 100% unassisted!! I am addicted to hatching. I have learned so much in such a short period. I love this.