Hands on hatching and help

[SharonxH]

For a few months @RubyNala97 and I have talked about having a thread for Hands on Hatchers to come together and for help for those who want to be more involved or don't want to accept the "Never help a chick" theory. People have different methods of hatching, and that's ok. When you find something that works for you, you do it. Don't worry about what other's views are, as long as your method is working- that is what is important. This thread is meant for us hands on people. A place to come together and talk, exchange our "hands on" methods, or seek help in assisting or just to see how our methods really do work for us. We aren't a thread to debate the differences for hands on/hands off, there's a thread for that. We are strictly for people that want to experience hatching in it's entirety w/out being literally yelled at because you are doing it different or because you are being hands on. OH no you opened your incubator at hatch??? That's ok, here we understand and will help anyone who needs it regardless of wether you did something we wouldn't. One of the greatest and most knowledgeable things is candling, and you shouldn't be afraid to do it.

A little about myself: I use an old LG incubator with fan attatchement, and I have awesome hatches. My last was 100%. I prefer a low humidity incubation method, and a high hatch humidity. I am VERY hands on. I open my incubator frequently during hatch and I have NEVER lost a chick that has pipped or started zipping. I seldom have post hatch mortality and my chicks are very healthy with no leg problems. And I am more than willing to assist my chicks if I feel it is neccessary. Why am I saying this? Because these are the things that a lot of hands off hatchers will swear to you will happen if you are not hands off. I respect a hands off hatchers philospohies and that's great for them. But I hate the fact that some would condem and put down those of us that don't share their philosophy. So if you are looking for a place to share your experiences and excitment in being hands on, without the worry of being scolded or threatened you won't be helped in a time of need, feel free to jump in and inroduce yourselves. Tell us a little about your methods and share pics of your flocks and chicks.

I need some hands on help as I think I need to assist my Indian Runner duck eggs. We are on day 30, and only 2 have externally pipped, one 48 hours ago and the other this morning. The others (apart from one) have internally pipped and all had safety holes added 17 hours ago. My friend tells me never to intervene, because she once did and the duckling died. But my feeling is that I need to intervene. I left the lid off the incubator on one or two occasions for about 5 minutes while I candled all the eggs in situ - wasn't my smartest move!

But I'm really worried about proceeding and would love some hand-holding!

 

[LynnaePB]

I need some hands on help as I think I need to assist my Indian Runner duck eggs. We are on day 30, and only 2 have externally pipped, one 48 hours ago and the other this morning. The others (apart from one) have internally pipped and all had safety holes added 17 hours ago. My friend tells me never to intervene, because she once did and the duckling died. But my feeling is that I need to intervene. I left the lid off the incubator on one or two occasions for about 5 minutes while I candled all the eggs in situ - wasn't my smartest move!

But I'm really worried about proceeding and would love some hand-holding!

I'm afraid I don't know enough about ducks to be much use but if you haven't read it already this is a great guide on assisted hatching for all poultry.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

I've had to assist a lot of silkie chicks and this guide helped so much. If you follow the steps and know what to look out for assisting usually can be safely done.

Good luck, I hope everything goes well!

 

[Grisbeard]

I was just wondering, If I bought shipped eggs, and one had a little crack in it, could it still hatch?

Probably not some recommend sealing the crack but I have found cracked eggs in the incubator soon begin to smell bad. The smell may be your first clue that there is a crack.

 

[Seasider2]

Ok I have a duck hatching question. My ducks are on day 28 one of them has attempted an external pip, it is very tiny and I'm not certain it's all the way through. I only have 4 eggs left and I am terrified I wont notice it needs help until too late. The other 3 eggs I can still see the duckling moving inside but cant tell if they have internally pipped yet. Should I put a safety hole in? Or just wait another day?

 

[AltonaAcres]

@MGG

 

[MGG]

@MGG

Which question am I supposed to reply to? Lol

 

[FernbergFarms]

@Seasider2 hi! I would’ve gonr ahead and put a safety hole in the egg. It doesn’t hurt but will help a lot to give air. How did it go? I lost 3 fully developed ducklings because I waited to long to act. Mine started turning purple and I still waited because people said not to assist too quick. Well I waited and they all died. I ended up with 3 other ducklings. After 3 died and 2 serviced I had decided to do a full assist on the last one who was struggling and he made it. Well I’d love to hear how everything went! I hope it had a happy ending

 

[Seasider2]

@Seasider2 hi! I would’ve gonr ahead and put a safety hole in the egg. It doesn’t hurt but will help a lot to give air. How did it go? I lost 3 fully developed ducklings because I waited to long to act. Mine started turning purple and I still waited because people said not to assist too quick. Well I waited and they all died. I ended up with 3 other ducklings. After 3 died and 2 serviced I had decided to do a full assist on the last one who was struggling and he made it. Well I’d love to hear how everything went! I hope it had a happy ending❤

I did go ahead with a safety hole on all 4 eggs. I assisted 1 that started to zip and then stopped. We had 1 die in egg, when I cracked it open it had not absorbed its yolk so I dont think there was anything I could have done to help it. We have 3 lovely ducklings today. Thank you for your answer.

 

[FernbergFarms]

I did go ahead with a safety hole on all 4 eggs. I assisted 1 that started to zip and then stopped. We had 1 die in egg, when I cracked it open it had not absorbed its yolk so I dont think there was anything I could have done to help it. We have 3 lovely ducklings today. Thank you for your answer.

Yay! I’m so exited for you! They are so cute and fun!

 

[LowcoMatt]

Hi everyone, this is my first hatch ever and my second egg has decided to open up on the wrong side, opposite the air cell. It was a small crack when it started. I’ve only opened it up just a little to make sure it can breath. I stopped here and plan on leaving it for the night. I’ve read both assisted hatching articles multiple times now. Just want some opinions on next steps.
Added the photo of our first ever chick just for fun.