DECEMBER Hatch-A-Long!😊

[LadiesAndJane]

Have 10 in the incubator now, had 12 but 2 weren't fertile. The hens are hatchery breeds, all the same roo, of unknown heritage. This will, hopefully, be the start of my barnyard breed via selective culling in future years.

Welcome to the hatch along! So glad you could join us!

 

[AusHen]

1 Marans has hatched.. I forgot the non slip liner again
Two more pips as you can see. The one that pipped the wrong end pipped at the same time as the one that hatched, hopefully it can work it's way out

 

[LadiesAndJane]

1 Marans has hatched.. I forgot the non slip liner again
Two more pips as you can see. The one that pipped the wrong end pipped at the same time as the one that hatched, hopefully it can work it's way out
View attachment 2435153

Congratulations on the one that hatched! Hopefully the other two made it.

 

[AusHen]

Second Marans out, this time a splash
Bottom pipper has made no progress but the last egg has pipped

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Second Marans out, this time a splash
Bottom pipper has made no progress but the last egg has pipped

Hopes for all your flock, especially the bottom pipper. Have you considered assisted hatching? and if so, how long do you wait before offering aid?

 

[AusHen]

Hopes for all your flock, especially the bottom pipper. Have you considered assisted hatching? and if so, how long do you wait before offering aid?

I have held off assisting because in the past I have had a few chicks pip the wrong end and successfully zip/hatch on their own, but this one has been pipped for 18+ hours and really trying hard but made no progress. It seems it can't turn and keeps pecking the original pip spot.
the third chick has now hatched so I'm debating if and when I should assist it as it's the only remaining unhatched chick

 

[seeingreen]

Well it’s hard to see past the humidity so no photo but 8 chicks so far. I see at least two more pips and still quite a few who haven’t stirred.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I've yet to have a successful incubation (this is only my second attempt, so I'm learning from other's practice. Do keep us in the loop, whatever you decide, and hopes it works out for the best.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I have held off assisting because in the past I have had a few chicks pip the wrong end and successfully zip/hatch on their own, but this one has been pipped for 18+ hours and really trying hard but made no progress. It seems it can't turn and keeps pecking the original pip spot.
the third chick has now hatched so I'm debating if and when I should assist it as it's the only remaining unhatched chick

Can you see it's beak? If it is clicking, then a good sign. I have waited up to 24 hours to step in. My first egg pipped 14 hours ago and it is nerve wracking waiting for them to progress.
I did have to assist several Marans though, seems their eggs are a bit thicker.

 

[AusHen]

Only when it's attempting to make a new pip, it will wiggle then poke the tip of the beak out of the initial pip site.