Hatching Today!!

[waddlehead]

So I am hatching today!! It's super cool because I set them on Valentine's day and today is my daughter's 12th B-day. I am super excited. I have 3 Silverudds 2 swedish flower/Silverrud and 2 Maran/Silverudd. I am super excited to see what they look like. I am even more excited to see what color egg the crosses lay!! My very own easter eggers.. Anyway right now I have 2 external pips

and am playing chick sounds for them.. Here we go!!

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Yay I’m so excited for you!!

 

[waddlehead]

Thank you!!!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Fingers crossed for a great hatch! Good luck!

 

[waddlehead]

Alright. I have 4 that pipped now. Man I am kinda wishing my girls didn't lay such thick shells now.. There is one I am worried about though. My first Swedish Flower was born an entire day early. I had a strong feeling to check her eggs yesterday. I did one looked normal. The other I could clearly see the internal pip as well as it's very active beak and throat. I figured she'd be hatched this morning.. Notta.. About 3 hours ago still no progress. I got nervous and made a safety hole while candling to ensure placement and safety.. She was active.. I noticed that her egg feels very light in comparison to before. I just checked and there is a tiny crack by the safety hole but I can't be sure if she did it or I did as it connects to the safety hole.. Should I help her? Eeeeek IDK!!! I will also bee posting this in emergencies.. I just saw the egg move...

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Yay! How long has is been since she piped? That can take up to 48 hours I think! I read a lot about hatching if I can find the right website!!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Alright. I have 4 that pipped now. Man I am kinda wishing my girls didn't lay such thick shells now.. There is one I am worried about though. My first Swedish Flower was born an entire day early. I had a strong feeling to check her eggs yesterday. I did one looked normal. The other I could clearly see the internal pip as well as it's very active beak and throat. I figured she'd be hatched this morning.. Notta.. About 3 hours ago still no progress. I got nervous and made a safety hole while candling to ensure placement and safety.. She was active.. I noticed that her egg feels very light in comparison to before. I just checked and there is a tiny crack by the safety hole but I can't be sure if she did it or I did as it connects to the safety hole.. Should I help her? Eeeeek IDK!!! I will also bee posting this in emergencies.. I just saw the egg move...

It can take up to 24 hours from internal pip to external pip and up to another 24 hours from external pip to zip. Some chicks pop out like popcorn and others take their time. Since you did a safety hole I wouldn't worry, you know the chick is definitely getting oxygen and while I know it's hard it's really important that it has enough time to absorb all of the blood in the blood vessels as well as the yolk sac.

 

[waddlehead]

I just found it strange that there was a noticible weight difference. I thought that could mean she already absorbed the yolk..

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I just found it strange that there was a noticible weight difference. I thought that could mean she already absorbed the yolk..

No, the yolk is absorbed into her belly so I don't think you would notice a change in weight. The eggs do lose water weight during their 21 days of incubation though so maybe you're noticing that difference? It's better to wait so you're not stepping in too early. Especially since none of the other chicks have started to hatch yet and that's usually a better gauge as to whether a chick is actually lagging behind. Keep us updated!

 

[waddlehead]

She is officially on her way out. The crack is now becoming a hole. I've heard the struggle of hatching is important for the chick to build strength. It makes sense. I am usually of the mind don't interfere if you don't have to. I just had a Silverudd pip upside down though. I flipped her and put her back in the incubator. I watched and I did see her beak pushing at the membrane so I think she'll be ok too. So 6 officially pipping externally..