First timer!

[Buglady79]

Hi folks! We’ve had chickens for a few years, but this is our first time hatching. We have a hovabator with 11 eggs from a mail order company in it. Today is day 22. I locked down at day 18. I candles everyone first, but I was nervous to keep them out for very long and took only quick looks. They all appeared the right size and had nice looking air pockets. I didn’t see much for movement but wasn’t really looking for it. I have seen zero movement of the eggs themselves and heard zero peeping. Last night around midnight we got one external pip. It is now 2 PM and Nothing else. I’ve followed all the rules - humidity between 40-50 initially and 65-73 since lockdown, temp at a stable 100. Very little contact, but they were on a turner until day 18.
There is a small hole in the top of the incubator- I poked a wooden skewer through it and gently tapped on a couple of the eggs, including the one that had pipped. No movement or sound. Any ideas? Sit on my hands? And if so, for how long before I try to investigate? Thanks in advance for helping an anxious newbie.
-Becca

 

[FarmInProgress]

Maybe try water candling, it’s a great way to see if the chick is still alive! There are a lot of videos on YouTube that are helpful.. but if you have any questions about it let me know

 

[Buglady79]

Thank you! The one that pipped last night is finally starting to do something. It’s not making much progress though, but I do see tiny movements at the pip site and an occasional peep. Good enough to make it out?

 

[Buglady79]

Making very little progress, about 4 hours later, and the membranes looks a little brown?

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Making very little progress, about 4 hours later, and the membranes looks a little brown?

How many days are you actually on?

 

[Buglady79]

Nearing the end of day 22

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Nevermind, I just reread your post- I had missed the 22 days and that this guy pipped last night. If your chick has been pipped for 24 hours here and seems weak / inactive, and you have had a good incubation period- then yes I'd take some action- but be forewarned, taking action can also cause damage. It's totally normal for eggs to take up to 23 days or so. I've had some hatch on day 24 and 25! But, once they have pipped, that starts another timer.

What I personally would do at this point (and have done) is try to recreate as best you can the "zip" they make, which is a ring around the egg starting from the pip. If the membrane is brown and dry, he's not getting out of there on his own at this point because he can't rip through that. It can get amazingly hard when you're trying to be careful, you'll likely need some kind of sharp scissors (I use beard trimmer scissors since they have a nice curve in them). You may see some little spats of blood as you recreate the zip, that is normal. But you could also hit a real blood vessel and that is bad of course.

I only "go in" when I am like 90% sure the chick won't make it otherwise. That is a call only you can make- but given all you have said up to this point, I'd likely be trying to help at this point.

 

[Buglady79]

Thank you so much for responding. I’m feeling like it’s time (I’m a healthcare professional, so I have some relevant experience ), but I’m just super worried to mess anything up. I chipped away a bit of the shell and the outer membrane is very dry. The inner membrane is sticky, thin and brownish. It’s little beak is out, so I thought I would give it a break for a while and see if it can do the rest itself. I tried putting it on a wet paper towel, but that raised the humidity in the incubator to 81%,and there are still 10 unpipped eggs in there

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Thank you so much for responding. I’m feeling like it’s time (I’m a healthcare professional, so I have some relevant experience ), but I’m just super worried to mess anything up. I chipped away a bit of the shell and the outer membrane is very dry. The inner membrane is sticky, thin and brownish. It’s little beak is out, so I thought I would give it a break for a while and see if it can do the rest itself. I tried putting it on a wet paper towel, but that raised the humidity in the incubator to 81%,and there are still 10 unpipped eggs in there

That sounds like relevant experience for sure. Honestly, I'd give it as much help as you are willing to at this point. Most pipped eggs hatch within 12 hours, so 24 hours is really pushing it. I personally don't feel like this chick can hatch on it's own at this point or it would have already. Again- your call, mama knows best and you are physically there!

 

[Buglady79]

Half out. No blood on the membranes at all, they were pretty darn dry. Leaving him for a snooze now in hopes he can wiggle the rest of the way out on his own. The white outer membrane was really thick. Wondering what this means for the rest of the eggs ?