First hatch in progress, questions.

[Thatcher97]

I am currently watching my first batch of eggs ever hatch the chicks are starting to break through the shell and are piping frequently. is there any way i can assist the progresses? and how long roughly should it take for them to break through?

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Don't assist them. Assisting a hatch should only be done if the chicks are in distress and should only be done as a very last resort. The hatchng process cannot and shouldn't be rushed. Helping can do more harm than good.

When the chick makes it initial pip hole in the shell it is still learning to breath air and needs to absorb the yolk sac and blood vessels. It can rest and do its absorbing for up to 24 hours before starting to zip the shell. Some take a few hours to zip the shell others do it pretty quickly and hatch. Hatching is a very long and tiring process for chicks

Good luck and hope you have a great hatch.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

This is a good article on the hatching process, hope you find it usefull

 

[Sustained]

Don't assist them. Assisting a hatch should only be done if the chicks are in distress and should only be done as a very last resort. The hatchng process cannot and shouldn't be rushed. Helping can do more harm than good.

When the chick makes it initial pip hole in the shell it is still learning to breath air and needs to absorb the yolk sac and blood vessels. It can rest and do its absorbing for up to 24 hours before starting to zip the shell. Some take a few hours to zip the shell others do it pretty quickly and hatch. Hatching is a very long and tiring process for chicks

Good luck and hope you have a great hatch.

X2! Good luck on your hatch!

 

[Thatcher97]

I had one successfully hatch it is alive and starting to become fluffy however one opened up at least 25% of its shell and then stopped making any movement or sounds for the past 4 hours. Is this something to worry about, also it appeared as if the chicken was upside down its in a little giant egg turner (off and level)

 

[Sustained]

 
I had one successfully hatch it is alive and starting to become fluffy however one opened up at least 25% of its shell and then stopped making any movement or sounds for the past 4 hours. Is this something to worry about, also it appeared as if the chicken was upside down its in a little giant egg turner (off and level)

If the exposed membrane starts drying out and turning brown you might want to investigate but nothing sounds out of the ordinary yet I don't think

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

If it has been several hours from when it started zipping and it has stopped and not made any progress you could help it. Please read the assisted hatching article though please before going ahead. Good luck

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching
Hope this helps it will tell what you what to look for and if to or not to help the chick.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

How is the hatch going @Thatcher97 ?

 

[Thatcher97]

I started with 6 eggs total just a trial run, 2 were unfertilized, 2 hatched and 2 died attempting to hatch. seems like they drowned in their shell. But thank you i learned a lot and am hoping to hatch on a larger scale this next time around with a full incubator