Hands on hatching and help

[AmyLynn2374]

As tough as it is for you to decide, its also tough for us, on the other side of a computer, to make recommendations without worrying about making the wrong one. It sounds like everything is running smoothly, and you just need someone to say "WAIT".... so I'll agree with Jennifer and say that I'd wait. At least until 18-20 hours, longer if possible. Evaluate again in a few hours. They are very fragile and tiny eggs, so any assistance is going to be difficult. It would be much better for it to do it on its own.

But still, you have to go with your gut! And good luck!

ETA - meant to also say great job practicing on the other eggs! Awesome idea.

xs 2

Yes, that's what I was thinking!
Good luck!! I've done lots of shipped and I always lay the saddles down too for hatch.

Thank god! They are beautiful!
I agree, I would wait. 24 hours is just a guide, it can take less time or more time. A safety hole is just a tiny hole to allow oxygen in. It should be no bigger then the tip of a pen or pencil. You definitely won't see membranes with a safety hole. I use a very pointy screw and just twist it while trying to only apply pressure right there until it penetrates. It's nerve wrecking! Lol. The peeping is a great sign that he's strong & healthy! Here's a pic of a safety hole:

I use a push pin. Very sharp and little.

 

[Kilkilkorken]

I agree, I would wait. 24 hours is just a guide, it can take less time or more time. A safety hole is just a tiny hole to allow oxygen in. It should be no bigger then the tip of a pen or pencil. You definitely won't see membranes with a safety hole. I use a very pointy screw and just twist it while trying to only apply pressure right there until it penetrates. It's nerve wrecking! Lol. The peeping is a great sign that he's strong & healthy! Here's a pic of a safety hole:

So I should wait the full 24 hours (unless I feel like the chick is in distress and not doing well) and then proceed to make a safety hole for oxygen, correct? I am going to go check on it again now and pray it's still peeping good.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

I am going to continue to monitor every few hours. Ughhh,..I really just need this little booger to make a tiny little hole to reassure me. Assisting will be my last option, but I just really don't want to see it die for no reason like the other two babies. BTW-Good luck on your duck eggs. I saw the two that have already hatched and they are ADORABLE! 


Definitely trust your gut. If it stops chirping or sounds extremely tired and still no pip it may be time to go in. I just would hate to see it happen to early. It's so sad when you lose one that could have been prevented. I do know how you feel though. Thanks by the way. I think they are adorable too. I'm just so in love..


Me too!  We are all sitting here on pins and needles at my house.
Thank you. I needed to check the DIS babies anyway to see if I could discern what the cause of death was, fortunately, they served as a practice assist for me and I feel as if I learned quite a bit of useful tidbits. I am going to hold off as long as I can, checking every few hours to make sure the baby is still peeping away in its shell. I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope it makes its little external pip on its own. 

Yes, that's what I was thinking!
Good luck!! I've done lots of shipped and I always lay the saddles down too for hatch.
Thank god! They are beautiful!
I agree, I would wait. 24 hours is just a guide, it can take less time or more time. A safety hole is just a tiny hole to allow oxygen in. It should be no bigger then the tip of a pen or pencil. You definitely won't see membranes with a safety hole. I use a very pointy screw and just twist it while trying to only apply pressure right there until it penetrates. It's nerve wrecking! Lol. The peeping is a great sign that he's strong & healthy! Here's a pic of a safety hole:

That's a really good idea. I bet that helps control the depth too. I'll have to remember that. It's really hard to make a pip when their is no pre existing hole to work with...

 

[Ravynscroft]

xs 2

I use a push pin. Very sharp and little.

Good idea for chicken eggs... duck eggs are a bit trickier though...

That's a really good idea. I bet that helps control the depth too. I'll have to remember that. It's really hard to make a pip when their is no pre existing hole to work with...

Sharp screw like Ruby posted is best for duck eggs... twirling it til it starts to drill in works best...

I accidentally stabbed a duck bill with a push pin... it was fine bht not fun... :/

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Good idea for chicken eggs... duck eggs are a bit trickier though...
Sharp screw like Ruby posted is best for duck eggs... twirling it til it starts to drill in works best...

I accidentally stabbed a duck bill with a push pin... it was fine bht not fun... :/

Yeah that's what I'd be worried about as well. I've been using these scissor like things in my husband's grooming kit. They work but they cut into my hand and take awhile. The screw just seems like it would be easier to control.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

So my 3rd duck just hatched and a fourth is zipping. 4 more to go after that. I guess you were right @RavynFallen. They do take way longer lol. I feel like it's easier though because this time around I already was expecting a long wait lol.

 

[Kilkilkorken]

Okay. 16 hours since I checked and saw that they baby Serama chick was internally pipped. I wasn't watching closely before that so I don't know how long it had really been internally pipped. The baby is still chirping in the egg,...maybe with a little less vigor, but I can hear a scratching noise. Still no sign of external pip. I feel like I want to throw up, lol. I just need this baby to pip and give me a sign that it's good. I'm becoming more and more nervous. EEEeeeeekkkkkkkk!

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Okay. 16 hours since I checked and saw that they baby Serama chick was internally pipped. I wasn't watching closely before that so I don't know how long it had really been internally pipped. The baby is still chirping in the egg,...maybe with a little less vigor, but I can hear a scratching noise. Still no sign of external pip. I feel like I want to throw up, lol. I just need this baby to pip and give me a sign that it's good. I'm becoming more and more nervous. EEEeeeeekkkkkkkk!  

As long as it still chirping lively like. If you hit 20 hours and still no pip I think I personally would make a safety hole. You have to be careful not to hit a vein though..

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Ok so 5 ducklings have hatched. Their are 5 left. 2 have externally pipped. One is internally pipped. I'm also considering making a safety hole but I'm scared to after what happened last time. This one has been internally pipped going on 2 days now..

 

[Ravynscroft]

So my 3rd duck just hatched and a fourth is zipping. 4 more to go after that. I guess you were right @RavynFallen. They do take way longer lol. I feel like it's easier though because this time around I already was expecting a long wait lol.

So happy for you! Yes, they love to teach us patience, lol...

Ok so 5 ducklings have hatched. Their are 5 left. 2 have externally pipped. One is internally pipped. I'm also considering making a safety hole but I'm scared to after what happened last time. This one has been internally pipped going on 2 days now..

That long? I'd go ahead and make a safety hole...