Finally - eggs have started to pip - NOW WHAT?

[TarHeelBlue]

I have 3 out of 12 eggs that have pipped, but after an hour, that is the only sign of life! Should they continue to break the shell now, or will it take a while. How long before they start to break the shell again? Sorry, so many questions for this newbie. I have worked so hard to do this right.

 

[ranchhand]

Go shopping for a year's worth of groceries, always works for me. It can take 24 hours or more from pip to zip. Sit on your hands and don't fog the windows with your breathing as you peek in every 30 seconds.

Happy hatching!

Edit to add: They will stop moving and rest many, many times. It's not really for a rest though, it's more of a test to see if you can keep restarting your heart.

 

[gryeyes]

It takes a whole lot of energy to break that shell from the inside when you're all folded up inside it like that. Chicks need a lot of rest after pipping. I have had eggs pipped for over 24 hours before they zip and the chick kicks its way out!

An hour is nothing. Sit on your hands and just watch, at this stage.

 

[TarHeelBlue]

When I say pipped (and you have to realize how new and excited I am about this) I mean that it looks like the tried to break out of the shell and it broke, but not through the shell, just a cracked area. That's good, right????

 

[HelenaJean]

they're fine; it makes a lotta work to hatch.
try thinking of it like labor, just because the water's broken and the baby isn't out yet, doesn't mean it's not on its way.

 

[sonew123]

go clean your house from top to bottom..then do it again-do something for 24 hours to keep your mind off of it LOL ...That never worked for me but the house was clean the first couple of months I started incubating

 

[CDennis]

Congrats! I am right there too! I woke up to one out which was quite the shock since 21 days is tomorrow, now 2 more are out. Happy healthy chicks, two more have pips but no movement...I am starting to wonder about all the other eggs nothing from them yet. Hopefully I end up with a few more babies!

 

[CDennis]

Quote:
That's what I am doing now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!