Egg hatching in my bra - advice on when/if to assist!

[Demidog]

My broody left an egg in her nest after the others hatched and i'v been keeping it in my bra the past 2 days. Last night it pipped at 4pm. It was tweeting and pecking a lot when i went to bed and i was sure it was going to hatch during the night. But it's now 6:30 am and not much has happened. It's made another crack beside the pip and doesn't seem to be tweeting as much as it was last night. I'm trying to find that help sheet on assisted hatch but i can't find it! I'm starting to worry about the chick now. Help please!

 

[Monkeybean415]

I hope things work out for you. I'm impressed that you kept an egg in your bra that long! But I fear it may not have been enough. Conditions need to be just right for chicks to hatch properly- temperature and humidity. I don't know a whole lot but I don't think it's good to help them along. Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in. Good luck!

 

[Demidog]

Well i had no other option. My husband was saying to just throw the egg away, but the chick is alive and i can't bring myself to do that! I'm trying my best to save it and I've heard of people doing this successfully before when a hen has left the nest with eggs still to hatch.

It's 7am now and the chick has knocked the shell off from where it's pipped and the membrane is now exposed. It's made a slit and a feather is poking through. I'm aware the humidity and temperature can affect hatching. Maybe there's not enough humidity and it's unable to turn to unzip? It seems to just be making a bigger hole where it's pipped. Or maybe I'm just impatient. I really want to read that help sheet on when to assist but i can't find it, if anyone has the link please post!

 

[Demidog]

Actually i now see a crack running round from where it's pipped and i think it is unzipping! Maybe it's going to be fine. Still would like to read that help sheet just to put my mind at rest.....

 

[Monkeybean415]

Well I give you credit for doing what you're doing. You've done everything you could for this little chick and I really hope things go well! I look forward to seeing your updates. Sorry I couldn't be more help I've only ever hatched with a broody and she did great. No experience doing it any other way. I'll try to do some searching though for you when I get the chance.

 

[Monkeybean415]

Have you read these threads? I guess it is ok to help!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/9316/intervention-helping-your-chicks-hatch

 

[Demidog]

Yes this is just what i was looking for! Thank you, i don't know why i couldn't find them. Cheers

 

[bantam brood 17]

Yes this is just what i was looking for! Thank you, i don't know why i couldn't find them. Cheers

How's it going I,m on tenter hooks here can't wait for news

fingers crossed for you both

 

[Demidog]

"The chicks PIP first then REST then Zipping begins up to 24 +/- after initial pip "​

24 hours +/- OK i think everything is fine. Phew, that's really put my mind at rest. I read through this last year but couldn't remember how much time is OK between pip and zip and i was getting worried!

I think everything is going as it should! It's tweeting in my bra and slowly zipping since this morning. It's now just past 9am. It's made a hole where it's pipped and now there's a crack appearing running about half way round from the pip. I'm feeling hot sitting here and it's getting a bit sweaty in my bra, should be good for the humidity lol I also changed to a sports bra last night as there is more room, and I've put the egg in the middle instead of on one side. I was worried I'd squash it in my sleep but like this i was able to turn from side to side without any problem. Also it's not so noticeable like this. When i had it on one side my husband said it looked like i had a big tumor protruding from one breast! lol and i have to go out to the supermarket now I'll end up getting funny looks with my tweeting breast tumor!

 

[Demidog]

Chick is nearly out!!!!!!