Egg pipped last night, now nothing :( Is this a bad sign? FIRST HATCH

[MA Mama]

Araucana eggs will have completed 21 days of development on Thursday night. Last night (so completed 19 days) 1 egg pipped. (the other eggs are wiggling) Since then, overnight, there is nothing. The hole is the same size and I don't see a beak anywhere. I know hatching can take many many many hours, but I thought that there would be progress, at least. Is this OK? I would love to hear your experiences...

 

[LarryPQ]

Being born is hard, especially when you have to do all the work.

It is NORMAL for a chick to pip and then take 48 hours to hatch. So, keep your hands outtta there!

Many people like to help chicks in distress out of the eggs after 24 hours, but since this is your first hatch, I strongly recommend against it. Opening the incubator could cause humidity issues, especially with the other eggs. You don't want to dry out your OTHER chicks who are trying to get out.

Also, chicks often pip and die. It is part of the natural selection process. I have had a number of chickens I have helped out and do well. Unfortunately, I have had just as many die within a few days of hatching, or develop more serious problems later on.

Good luck!

 

[silkymom1986]

I agree I would not attempt to help if the others are moving, I've had the same thing happen. Some pip and zip in 30 minutes and some just aren't as strong. It's like the pip wears them out but if there's a hole it can breath so it could be taking a nap to get the energy up to finish the job! I'll be hoping that's the case for you! Good luck and

for some more pips and zips in your future!!

 

[MA Mama]

Is it normal that the beak isn't in the little hole? Can the chick find tha same hole again?

 

[Tracy the chick]

Hi, There, Dont worry it will either find same hole or make another one. Chances are she's having a rest after all that hard work lol....

 

[MA Mama]

Don't worry??? Don't worry!!!!! I am obsessed! I am at work and all I can think about it going home to check on my babies! Thanks for all of your responses!

 

[Tracy the chick]

When i had my first hatch i had to leave work on hatch day, couldnt think straight lol.. There is a BYC rule that you have to post pics of the fuzzy butts when there hatch

Ha ha,...Only joking!

 

[MA Mama]

If I am lucky enough to have some babies I will be sure to show off... ahem... I mean post pics! I did everything wrong this first hatch and if I get any healthy ones I will consider it a big sucess. I just hope we get at least 1 - my kids will be heartbroken if we don't.

 

[MA Mama]

OK - so 24 hours later and a second hole has been pipped near the first, I hear cheeping, and the egg is rocking. But still no progress. And the hole is not actually a hole but just the shell appears broken, a white paper like membrane is jsut under it. I (big mistake, I know I know) took my finger nail and bent back the piece of shell that was hanging. it moved with no effort, like really easy, and there was no blood. Should I help now? Its been more than 24 hours and I am just about to explode.

 

[Tracy the chick]

Aww its so hard i know. Ive never had to help a chick out. Hope someone will pipe up here for you... On the learning centre page it tells you how to intervine if needs be. Im rooting for you hun. Ive got 8 more babies in my bater.. Keep us posted