Hatching chicks under hens

[chestnutnightmare]

Yeah that's what I was thinking, i had a chick from the clutch that hatched a couple days ago that was cheeping and tapping that night, but by the morning it was dead, with no pip or anything. It made me wonder if the chick was just too weak or the shell was too hard to crack and if I could have saved it by doing a safety hole... I could also be having problems because my hens are so hot which means they are generally sitting up letting air flow under them. The eggs are still warm and alive but I'm thinking the lack of humidity isn't softening the shells enough for them to break.

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.

 

[K3nzi3]

Yeah that's what I was thinking, i had a chick from the clutch that hatched a couple days ago that was cheeping and tapping that night, but by the morning it was dead, with no pip or anything. It made me wonder if the chick was just too weak or the shell was too hard to crack and if I could have saved it by doing a safety hole... I could also be having problems because my hens are so hot which means they are generally sitting up letting air flow under them. The eggs are still warm and alive but I'm thinking the lack of humidity isn't softening the shells enough for them to break.

That could be the problem with the hatching in your eggs. If you must do an air hole, get the smallest drillbit you have.(I think a toothpick might work s well. I'm not sure) And just gently chip a small hole in the shell away so the air sac can be pierced. If you look it up on YouTube you can find videos of people doing it.

 

[chestnutnightmare]

Sweet just went out to check them for the last time tonight and one more has hatched and another one has nearly fully ziplined so hopefully they have all hatched by the morning! I have 5 eggs due on the 17th/18th 12 eggs due on the 19th then 5 more eggs due on the 20th/21st so hopefully I have the same success right through!

 

[chestnutnightmare]

Update
3/4 hatched with the last one not far off

 

[K3nzi3]

Update
3/4 hatched with the last one not far off

Yay!
What cuties! Makes me want some chicks...

 

[Sublight]

Mother nature knows what to do. We all worry too much when eggs are hatching.

 

[Teila]

Update
3/4 hatched with the last one not far off

 

[chestnutnightmare]

Final update more babies to come over the next few days so may be more questions/problems who knows

 

[chestnutnightmare]

4 healthy babies