First timer with lots of questions

[chickfused]

End of beak is sticking out where indicated.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Guide to Assisted Hatching for All Poultry

This article is the most helpful thread that's geared towards hatching. If I were you, I'd read it and then read it again. It's really that good! I still read it before hatch with every single clutch.

I'm going to tag a friend that helped me so much whenever I started hatching chicks @MGG If she's not available, I'll be happy to help as much as possible, but I can't promise you that I'll be on.

What temp have you incubated these eggs at? What breed are they? I wish you luck!

 

[chickfused]

They're mutts. Incubated at 99.5 degrees F, 50% humidity.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

This is the Nuture Right 360, right? Do you have a separate calibrated hydrometer in the incubator or are you going by the read out on the unit?
The membrane looks really dry. How much has it zipped?

 

[chickfused]

I'm going by the readout on the unit. There was a slight bit of condensation on the inside of it earlier today. There is another egg behind it that looks dry too.

There is standing water in the bottom of the unit. Some pieces of eggshell are floating in it.

I do not have a separate hydrometer. Yes it is the Nuture Right 360.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

If this was my hatch, I'd take a really strong flashlight and without picking up the egg, shine it on the air cell, like you're candling the egg. Look for any veins that are remaining

 

[chickfused]

I can't really see any air cell, it's full of chick. It's little nose is poking out.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Have you had a chance to read that article yet? If not, it will be helpful for you, I promise. So it started zipping 1.5 hours ago, right?

 

[chickfused]

I've read the article. 1 hour and 15 minutes.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

It's a good thing that it's nose is clear I don't like to let them stall during a zip for more than 30 minutes, personally. The article will explain the best and most safe steps. Assisting too early can be fatal for the chick, so it's best to be as positive as possible that it's ready to hatch before assisting. The article covers things like opening the air cell and finishing the zip.