FEB HATCH-ALONG THREAD ...COME JOIN US.... EVERYONE!

[Adam7]

Well today, I candled the eggs in the incubator that I had found the light bulb burned out on Sun (eggs cold, temp a 74*).  There are a few survivors and mostly from the older set eggs that are due to hatch on the 17th.  Most of my losses were in my later set eggs that were due to hatch on the 25th.  The larger "chicks" must have been able to retain heat a little better that the younger ones in the eggs.   Hoping I get some to hatch.  Guessing they will be late because of the incident.  Go chickies!

Sounds about right. The older eggs had larger embryos. When they start to get larger they get the ability to regulate their own body heat so it's possible for them to survive despite a period of cooling. There was an article a read on this somewhere if i can dig it up I can link it..

 

[Maah]

My last chick took 37 hours from pip to hatch.

Don't open the incubator. If you do, it can dramatically change the temperature and humidity level at a very critical moment and might actually kill the chick (and any others in there).

 

[Adam7]

HELP!! My 1st hatch!! number 3 wanted to beat #1 & 2, but when can or do I need to help her get out? I feel like I should help with that one big piece. I've heard her peep in there, but nothing has been happening for about an hour. Is she just taking a rest or does she need help?

Sally sunshine has a nice article describing when to help and when not to help. The link is here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching

Take a moment to read this before you decide what could be a fatal maneuver for your hatching chick.

 

[Debs55]

Well I couldn't wait for my eggs to hatch so I came home with 6 chicks from the tractor supply "red pullet" bin to hold me till the end of the month when my other guys should hatch

 

[silkiemelon]

So I'm on day 16 and there's pretty much nothing happening. I can't candle them anymore, but I'm not in lockdown either. So I'm kind of in this weird in-between boring stage in which all I do is stare at the eggs.

So, to distract myself, I have news!



Pompy, my 11 month old pullet, has gone broody I've never had any of my silkie girls go broody before (they are all fairly young) so I'm pretty new to this. Pompy managed to hoard and successfully stuff 9 of her fellow silkies eggs under her and has been dutifully sitting on them for 4 days!

Also,


Sage, my cockerel, has crowed for the first time. And I'm not gonna lie, it's an adorable crow
Sage is the one who was supposed to be paint but hatched out black (despite his parents being paints), so he carries the paint gene. I'm hanging on to him a bit longer to breed him to my black and white girls in hopes I may get one or two paint chicks.

 

[SilkieRose]

it can take any7were from 12 to 24 hrs for a complete hatch let her be

Before anybody wrote back & slightly lifted the big piece & it just fell off, but I don't see any wriggling anymore, I don't hear her either. I don't think lifting the loose piece hurt her, but do you think she quit? She was working so hard!! I saw the egg moving, I could see her moving around & now nothing How long should I wait? I'm bummed

. I won't help any others!!! Scouts' honor!! PLEASE tell me she quit on her own!!!!

 

[gapeach717]

22 eggs on lockdown... wish me luck. Last time I only had 8 out of 15 hatch

GOOOOOOOOD LUCK!!!!!

 

[PugBug]

HELP!! My 1st hatch!! number 3 wanted to beat #1 & 2, but when can or do I need to help her get out? I feel like I should help with that one big piece. I've heard her peep in there, but nothing has been happening for about an hour. Is she just taking a rest or does she need help?

Just take some deep breaths- don't do anything- let the chick do it. It looks like it's doing just fine and this can take hours... good luck, keep us posted!

 

[gapeach717]

Before anybody wrote back & slightly lifted the big piece & it just fell off, but I don't see any wriggling anymore, I don't hear her either. I don't think lifting the loose piece hurt her, but do you think she quit? She was working so hard!! I saw the egg moving, I could see her moving around & now nothing How long should I wait? I'm bummed

. I won't help any others!!! Scouts' honor!! PLEASE tell me she quit on her own!!!!

she may be sleeping....give her more time!!

 

[Maah]

Before anybody wrote back & slightly lifted the big piece & it just fell off, but I don't see any wriggling anymore, I don't hear her either. I don't think lifting the loose piece hurt her, but do you think she quit? She was working so hard!! I saw the egg moving, I could see her moving around & now nothing How long should I wait? I'm bummed

. I won't help any others!!! Scouts' honor!! PLEASE tell me she quit on her own!!!!

I agree with PugBug & gapeach. The hardest part is waiting and not knowing... we completely understand.

Ok, these questions are not meant to be harsh... just to give the rest of us a general overview of what's been going on. I sure hope the rest of your hatch goes well!

Yes, there is still hope!

First, what kind of incubator are you using?
How many times have you opened the incubator since lockdown?
What were your temperature/humidity readings before you opened the incubator?
What were the reading immediately after closing?
What are the readings now?
How many eggs do you have incubating? (was it just 3 that you mentioned, or are there more?).
Have any of the other eggs pipped? (Do you hear any internal chirping? Are there any cracks on any of the other eggs?)


Next, you need to sit on your hands... do not touch the incubator. Try to relax. Read a book, go to the grocery store for some wine... or go soak in a nice hot bath. Whatever it takes.

My opinion is that you will need to give it time. Waiting for the hatch is the hardest part! Trust me I know... it's super stressful, and I'm pretty sure it causes ulcers. LOL.

We're pulling for you!