fully formed but didnt hatch....

[mom28chicks]

Hi - I'm totally new to incubating... I bought an incubator off ebay, auto turner and fan. I collected eggs waiting on shipment. Installed the fan and turner..... through the eggs (chicken and duck) in........ I really didn't expect good results as I didn't really follow protocol at all. I didn't wait to put eggs in... I opened it every night to look at my eggs.... but to my surprise out of 38 eggs I had 29 growing..... when they started hatching and I would take them out 10 minutes after they hatch to put into my brooder area so they can dry out .... A friend called me and wanted a few eggs for her broody chicken so I took three eggs out to give to her... they hatched the next day So as of now I still have 2 chick eggs not pipped and 14 duck eggs that I started to hear today peeping...not due for 2 days .....


How common is it for a chick to be fully formed but not hatch?
Is there any way to know it needs help?
How soon after I hear them peep should they pip?

I did carefully open two after I thought they should have hatched and they both were not moving or any sign of life... If they were alive when I chipped the shell off would I have seen any signs of life or would it look dead????

I did have one chick whos beak was out of the pip hole and didn't go back in like the rest... it was just stuck there and didn't move for 18 + hours.... I finally broke a little of the shell and it still did not move (was peeping but not moving around) I left it a little bit then decided to take the shell off leaving the membrane.... still didn't move and the peeping not as often.... before bed I removed the membrane but left it connected and put it under a heat lamp.... it was just laying there.... I didn't expect it to be alive in the morning.... but she was dry and running around perfect!!!


I'm soooo shocked and happy... can't wait for next time.... I will TRY not to be so impatient.... I'm already collecting eggs so I can start again after the ducks hatch

 

[mnferalkitty]

I would not open the bator at all during hatch, the chicks/ducks can stay in there until they dry off and with them hatching in there it helps your humidity. It can sometimes take ducks 3 or more days to hatch once you hear them peeping etc. I don't help any chicks/ducks hatch(i have in the past but the results were never good) it can jepordize all the other eggs if you keep opening the bator

 

[mom28chicks]

Thanks Lori - I will be good and let the ducks stay put.

 

[mnferalkitty]

I know its hard

and just so you know ducks hatch a little different then chicks they make a hole with their beak/egg tooth and then work on that hole to zip around the shell and sometimes the hole can get big and it looks like nothing is happening and they keep sticking out thier beak and peeping. Its important not to open the bator because if you do the humidity leaves and drys them out quickly because they have such big holes in the egg. It can take a couple of days for them to get out.

 

[mom28chicks]

Thank you again for letting me k now its different... I didn't know that. This morning I do have 4 eggs that have a little hole

Thanks

 

[California_chickie]

First of all, CONGRATS on a very successful first hatch!!
Considering you "didn't follow protocol" you did a really good job, and a great hatch rate. The fully formed chicks that didn't hatch were probably just grew too big inside the shell. Or, they were "shrink wrapped" inside-- that's why humidity is so crucial from day 18-21. There are lots of reasons why they didn't hatch, but it's good you did a little eggtopsy to see what was happening. Live and learn Sounds like you have enough chicks anyways!!
I agree whole heartedly with the previous post-- try not to take them out. I know it is VERY tempting, but they need to be left alone until they are at least dry. This is their time to get acclimated to their little world, and get their strength. They will bump around the other eggs, chirp like crazy & practically beg you to let them out as soon as they hatch, but I promise you--- they are better off staying inside the incubator, which has constant stable heat, humidity, and enough space for them (even though I'm sure they seem a bit cramped) I have experienced my fair share of hatches, using broodies, and many different types of incubators---the only time I have had a chick pass away so quickly is when I take them out too soon, when they are still wet & flopping around.
I set everything up that I need on day 20, then I literally have to walk away & let nature take it's course. I used to call out sick to work so I could sit in front of the incubator to watch the hatch!! Ridiculousness, but I was obsessed! Now I leave them alone. I have kept chicks inside the bator for 48hrs, its hard to do, but even harder to deal with multiple chicks in the incubator AND a brooder.