February 2017 Hatch-a-long

[Jessimom]

How long can a chick stay zipped before it needs help. Is there a reason why a chick pips but can't finish hatching by its self. It always happens to me. I just need some advice please.

I think once it starts to zip, it should finish within 45 minutes. It can quit if you open the incubator while it's pipped, or the humidity drops too low, they can get shrink wrapped. They can be mal positioned. The air cells might not be in the right spot (especially with shipped eggs). There are other reasons, but I can't think of them right now.

 

[HenLeia]

This is my 18th chick and it has hatched on day 22. It pipped on its own but needed assistance zipping all the way. I'm kinda freaked out by the blood and the opening in it's belly. What should I do?

 

[theceltichorse]

My babies having a little grass clump to explore and peck in!

 

[yeye5]

I apologize for over-posting!
I'm looking for help, ideas...just about anything constructive. Above I wrote a too-long rambling post. I will try to synopsize:

My silkie hen is on a clutch due to hatch tomorrow/next day. There is one olive egg that I put under her even though I knew the time delay was unreasonable.(4+days)
I hope my hen stays on the "late" egg and hatches it herself. However...
I am needing other ideas for backup plans.
I don't have an incubator, so I want to see about how to create one with my limited building abilities.

What I have here:
heating pad, one large plastic insulated cooler (15 in wide x 13 in tall x 10 in wide the short side) ; Styrofoam cooler (11 1/2 in wide at top/10 1/2 in wide at bottom x 11 in tall x
7 1/2 in wide the shorter side); egg crates of cardboard, assorted kitchen stuff. The thermometer I bought does not seem to work.

I searched the term "home made incubators" and found some info that is unfortunately way over my head in supplies and skill.

I strongly prefer that my broody goes through with it as she knows how to be a hen much better than I do. But, I feel I need to be prepared just in case.

I know it's all my doing that I'm in this position to begin with. I'm just reaching out to the people whose kindness and expertise never cease to amaze me!

To add a little bit More emotion around this egg, the hen who laid the egg was killed 2 nights ago by a predator.

Please and Thank you, in advance, for any and all ideas, directions, suggestions.

 

[orrpeople]

How long can a chick stay zipped before it needs help. Is there a reason why a chick pips but can't finish hatching by its self. It always happens to me. I just need some advice please.

I have heard 45 minutes max from zip to hatch.i had one survive for several hours though,(at night) but I wouldn't leave them like that intentionally.

 

[lilwildrabbit]

Thank goodness you found your dutchie hen! That must have been so upsetting. Do you free range your chickens? or did your hen escape somehow?

My Olive egg from Myrtle isn't alone in an incubator. I don't even own an incubator. My silkie is sitting on a clutch, a mix of her own eggs, one or 2 from her daughter pullet, and a couple of standard size mixed breed eggs. I am worried about the olive egg because Mima (hen) would have to keep it warm a few days after her others hatch.
I checked a bit earlier and nothing's up yet. I usually can't wait to see pips and hear chicks but the later these go, within safety of course, the better it could be for the olive egg to catch up.

I hope your lone egg hatches too! 

I don't have free range but try to keep my dutchie in the coop? That bird can find a pin hole and be out faster than I can plug it up so for her safety I don't clip her wings so now she flies out during the day and flies back in at night that and not seeing her for 2 days makes me think she has a nest somewhere. I bought an incubator as only possible way to regain my flock after some dogs mysteriously got in and killed off about 30 birds. In that group I lost my EE and my one sitting hen both my hens and my two huge roosters. My dutchie was able to escape.all I had left is my dutchie one Spanish and one bantam too, 7 black sex-links, 2 buffs and one of my big mommas. So my flock was decimated I ordered an incubator in hopes of getting my flock back up to the numbers I had. I'm on SS disability and money is tight. I have come across two roosters now (free), I was able to save one chick from my sitters first brood she only had 2 he was in the house when the dogs hit. So it's a slow process getting back on track here

 

[yeye5]

I don't have free range but try to keep my dutchie in the coop? That bird can find a pin hole and be out faster than I can plug it up so for her safety I don't clip her wings so now she flies out during the day and flies back in at night that and not seeing her for 2 days makes me think she has a nest somewhere. I bought an incubator as only possible way to regain my flock after some dogs mysteriously got in and killed off about 30 birds. In that group I lost my EE and my one sitting hen both my hens and my two huge roosters. My dutchie was able to escape.all I had left is my dutchie one Spanish and one bantam too, 7 black sex-links, 2 buffs and one of my big mommas. So my flock was decimated I ordered an incubator in hopes of getting my flock back up to the numbers I had. I'm on SS disability and money is tight. I have come across two roosters now (free), I was able to save one chick from my sitters first brood she only had 2 he was in the house when the dogs hit. So it's a slow process getting back on track here

I am SO sorry to hear about this tragic loss you had! It's heart breaking.
Do you know whose dogs they were than got into your coop/s?
I have one dog (I have 3 total) who is a natural hunter. When I first started keeping chickens I started with 2 pullets and 2 cockerals. My own dog got in and killed 2 of that bunch. Needless to say she never goes unsupervised after that.
But if these dogs belong to someone/s else, that's even harder. If you know where they are supposed to live, have you or can you contact the owner...politely but seriously explaining your own loss?

I understand the dilemma of cutting vs not cutting wings. I've gone back and forth with it. I usually do cut wings as I've had worse things happen when they can fly out of the daytime pen compared to when they can't.
I'm not sure where you are in Georgia. I'll send you a private message.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I finally candled my four Marans eggs. I think they are on day 14. All are alive and kicking.

 

[lilwildrabbit]

I am SO sorry to hear about this tragic loss you had! It's heart breaking.
Do you know whose dogs they were than got into your coop/s? 
I have one dog (I have 3 total) who is a natural hunter. When I first started keeping chickens I started with 2 pullets and 2 cockerals. My own dog got in and killed 2 of that bunch. Needless to say she never goes unsupervised after that.
But if these dogs belong to someone/s else, that's even harder. If you know where they are supposed to live, have you or can you contact the owner...politely but seriously explaining your own loss?

I understand the dilemma of cutting vs not cutting wings. I've gone back and forth with it. I usually do cut wings as I've had worse things happen when they can fly out of the daytime pen compared to when they can't.
I'm not sure where you are in Georgia. I'll send you a private message. 

I think the dogs were assisted getting in by way of door and animal controll don't give a crap about anything but the paycheck so that's out

 

[yeye5]

I finally candled my four Marans eggs. I think they are on day 14. All are alive and kicking.

Hooray!!! All they need to do is follow the exact same game plan for another 7 days! Fingers crossed!