Hatching chicks under hens

[chestnutnightmare]

Hi,
This summer 8 of my hens decided to go broody so I put some eggs under them, the eggs are red shaver X silky. I have 26 viable eggs due in the next few days and 4 have started hatching today. I had 6 hatch a few days ago and we had to help all of them but 1 hatch, as the shell was super hard and the babies could not do it. We ended up losing 3 eggs as we werent able to get them out in time. The chicks are generally able to pip and make a small hole but not one of them out of 12 eggs was able to zip. The babies are definiely ready to come out as the yolk is absorbed and most of the blood vessels are too. A question I have is, will a chick suffocate if it has made a hole and is breathing air, but the mum keeps moving the egg so it ends up face down? Will it still be okay? I have 3 eggs right now with holes and ive found them a few times face down. Also what are your thoughts on safety holes? (Hole in air sac so baby can breathe air and regain strength before hatching) And how long should I be leaving them after the initial pip/hole to start helping them. They started hatching this morning, ones hatched (with help) and the other 3 have holes, so is there any risk of them dying before tomorrow morning?

Sorry that this is a long post but just easier than posting heaps of different threads. I would really appreciate any help/advice!

Photo is of the baby that hatched today.

PS I live in New Zealand and it is currently summer

 

[chestnutnightmare]

Here's a pic (if it uploads) of the 3 eggs in question.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Here's a pic (if it uploads) of the 3 eggs in question.

 

[chestnutnightmare]

Here

 

[Lazy Farmer]

No worries there. Congratulations! I am sure they are in good hands.

 

[ChickNanny13]

They should be fine, it takes awhile for chicks to hatch. It's hard work & they do rest in-between but let's call for some help ...

@Teila @oldhenlikesdogs @Pyxis

 

[Teila]

Howdy Neighbour

I have heard of a chick suffocating because of an already empty half shell left in the nest which managed to work it’s way over the shell the poor little one had already pipped. It was took weak and exhausted to then have to break through yet another layer; which is why I remove empty shells.

Anyways, yep, I agree and believe they should be fine. You may wake up to a surprise tomorrow morning in that they have continued to hatch overnight without assistance.

Good luck and please do share some more pictures.

Oh and

 

[chestnutnightmare]

Cool thank you! I checked on them before and they appear to have started zipping so hopefully they have hatched by the morning. If there is no improvement I'll give them a hand some eggs under my other hen have started cheeping and tapping so they should start hatching tomorrow too

 

[Teila]

Cool thank you! I checked on them before and they appear to have started zipping so hopefully they have hatched by the morning. If there is no improvement I'll give them a hand some eggs under my other hen have started cheeping and tapping so they should start hatching tomorrow too

Very exciting. No hatches for me this year so I am having to vicariously get my bubby fixes

 

[K3nzi3]

Well congrats on the eggs! They seem fine where they are at.
As for your emergency air hole question...
Air holes can usually be used when a chick seems to be able to hatch, but can't pip, or pip a large enough hole.
It is usually a very delicate process. And should be used in an absolute emergency only, in my opinion.