Hatching Time

[Dirty Dozen]

Does anyone know exactly how long it takes for eggs to hatch? I started hearing pecking inside the eggs 24 hours ago. Now I hear 1 peeping. It seems to take about 36-48 hours? They're under a hen so I wouldn't see any movement of the egg. Also, do they break through the air cell AFTER they start pecking the shell? I only think that because I've had to help out 1/2 hatched out ones with the membrane still on their faces. And what starts the peeping sounds? I get very impatient & hate to bother mom every couple of hours.
It's amazing that they even make it out at all!

 

[dewgrl2511]

I hatched 3 in my incubator yesterday morning. I had anxious little ones in the egg.. it too a total of 3 hours for all to get out after they started in earnest. 2 had pipped the night before. Hatch time is sooo exciting and frustrating at the same time