Ok guys. I had an egg pip this morning. I have no idea what time but I noticed it at 7am. It has been over 12 hours and no more progress has been made. I am going to go to bed and hope that when I wake up tomorrow that something more has happened with this chick. My question is if it has not. Should I let it sit longer or help him with the zip. I am worried that the membrane is too dry. My humidity goes from 50 to 80% I keep having to wet the paper towel to bring it back up. If I should still wait after 24 hours how much longer should I wait without seeing progress?
From the time the shell is cracked, they should be out within 18 hrs. If they haven't hatched within that time period, they probably won't make it out. If they are having trouble hatching, don't help them! I know it's hard not to but I did one time and the chick ended up having problems and didn't make it good luck
If you don't have a chick in the morning then I say definitely help it. I helped my last hatch and only regret leaving it so long to help. I just couldn't let it try or die. It is a lot easier than you think to do. I wet a wash cloth with warm water to hold it in. Have an eye dropper to help moisten the membrane and a pair of tweezers. I helped four of my last babies and they all made it. It was easy to very carefully chip away the shell and not break the membrane. I made a zip on all of them and one actually pushed itself out in my hand. The shells were all clean and they were definitely ready to come out. Good luck...please let us know what happens...if not out in the morning I say do it.
Quote:I was the same way the other day. I had my first eggs start to hatch and one pipped early and then didn't move for HOURS (though I knew the chick was alive, I could see it moving around and it peeped like crazy!). It took awhile, but the little guy did make it's way out on it's own. It's nerve-racking and tests your patience, but hang in there and it will be worth it all.
