Eggs ready to hatch-many questions!

[wanteggs]

Out of 7 eggs, I am almost sure all are viable. Today was day 19. I candled them all this morning for a last look. One of them was CHEEPING loudly! Apparently, it's broken into the air sac. Has anyone heard their chicks CHEEPING while IN the egg?

I checked him again tonight, around 8'hrs later....still CHEEPING but now has begun with tiny internal, faint pecking sound! How long till his air runs out? Now I am scared....can I rest reassured tonight? Or could he die?

Should I chip the egg for him? Sorry, I am NEW at this! Doing it for my children.....whom I homeschool! Thanks for quick help!

 

[wanteggs]

Ok, since about an hour ago.... most of the eggs have tiny holes in them....they're gonna be out when now? Can we sleep? Lol.

What kind of bedding should I put in their cage? A towel? Cedar shavings? Newspaper? Pls respond....

 

[bugglesmommy]

First of all leave the bator closed and get the humidity up. They may take a day to pip after internally pipping and I suggest going to bed because it may take over 24 hours from the time they pip until they hatch. Right now they are absorbing the blood vessels and yolk. Do not try and help them out too soon or it will kill them.

After they hatch I use paper towels at first but newspaper should work. Make sure you have a heat lamp. Newly hatched chicks can live for 3 days on the absorbed yolk alone so no rush to pull them from the bator. Best to wait until the hatch is complete.

 

[wanteggs]

Ok, 2 of the 7 eggs have hatched. I am concerned about 'room' in the bator....it's a smaller one. Here is a link to see a pic:

http://brinsea.com/products/mini.html

So, should I still leave them in there for a whole day?

And, can I atleast remove the empty eggs as they hatch?

And, should I leave the temp at 99.5 or down to 98.6?

These are all important questions, my 1st time!

Please advise quickly, the 5 unhatched ones are already in the hatch process. It's happening quickly!

 

[nbenevento]

First thing you need to do is sit down, take a deep breath and relax. Everything seems to be going fine. Your hatched chicks are bouncing all over the place and knocking around the other eggs. It's ok. Don't keep opening the incubator. Just let them do their thing. I assume you already researched brooder a and that is all set up. Just wait until the chicks are done drying completely before moving to the brooder. Don't help any to hatch. Really, just don't do anything except watch and marvel at the miracle of life. If some have not pipped or hatched yet and others are dry later today, maybe then you can quickly take them out. Otherwise, just relax and watch.

 

[nbenevento]

Oh and leave the temp at 99.5. The humidity is very important for hatching, so that is why you don't want to keep opening the lid.