Hatching, which end up? Day 20

[Dewolf]

Ok so this is probably answered somewhere here but I cant find it....

Do the chicks generally breakthrough the up, lower or side of egg first? Or is there no set area, they just break through where ever....

It is day 20 and I noticed a star crack (pushing out) on underside of egg, no movement and no sound. I am a little worried......

 

[Dewolf]

Ok so now I have a little movement, temp at 98-99, this is soooooooooo stressfull. I cant even see it cause its sneaking out the cellar door ( my window is on top)

 

[nicolemac]

Ok so this is probably answered somewhere here but I cant find it....

Do the chicks generally breakthrough the up, lower or side of egg first? Or is there no set area, they just break through where ever....

It is day 20 and I noticed a star crack (pushing out) on underside of egg, no movement and no sound. I am a little worried......

they break into the air sac first to breath, shuold be on the big end. - be careful not move them around or they will get disorientated. Good luck.

 

[Dragonsfly2]

it's so stressful waiting for them to hatch out finally, I totally agree!
hope all goes well, and would love to see pics once they are busted out!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Understanding The Hatching Process

Between the 15th and 16th days, the chick orients itself so that its head is near the air cell at the large end of the egg. Not long before the chick is ready to attempt to make its way out of the shell its neck acquires a double bend so that its beak is under its right wing and pointed toward the air cell.
​

21 DAYS is just a baseline for hatching eggs.
Many chicks can take 23 - 25 days!
Some pip internally and fully hatch in hours while others will be 24 hours or more.

Egg movement! Eggs can “Rock n Roll” days before they are due to hatch!

The initiation of hatch occurs partially from the increased carbon dioxide level in the egg. This process causes the embryo to begin twitching it's muscles allowing the inner shell membrane to be punctured by the egg tooth. The chick then begins breathing the air in the air cell. Using its egg tooth, it pecks at the shell thousands of times and after a few hours the chick pips a small hole through the shell and begins to breathe air directly from the outside. After the chick has made a hole in the shell, it stops pipping for 8+ hours sometimes up to 24 hours and rests.
During this time, it is acclimating its lungs.

After the resting stage is completed the second stage of pipping begins. The chick begins to turn slowly inside the egg. As the chick turns counter-clockwise it uses the cutting edge of the chick tooth to chip away. As the chick progresses in its movement around the shell, it begins pushing on the large air cell end of the egg. Squirming and struggling! YES STRUGGLING! The chick works feverishly pushing at the cap. Finally with a shove the chick breaks free from the shell wet and exhausted. When the chick is freed completely from the shell it lies still. Its energy has been virtually exhausted, and it is extremely tired. After resting the chick begins to gain more and more energy and coordination of its muscles.





In regards to opening and closing the bator to remove already hatch chicks; It is important to remember that chicks can go 3 days without food/water. It is better to wait for the remaining chicks to hatch to insure reducing the impact to unhatched pipping eggs.

But my new chick is running around in the bator knocking eggs around!
LET THEM GO! DO NOT OPEN THE INCUBATOR! They are fine!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101
​

 

[Dewolf]

thank you!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

 

[Dewolf]

Sally, thank you so much but I have one question..... There is always a but involved somewhere

I understand the process, but I cant find anywhere where they should pip ( I know big end) but up towards the sky as most pictures are showing or down towards the bottom.

My one had a star crack at 11:30 am today, now he has definitely broke through because he is talking now and then, however he is facing down towards the ground, his crack shell is a hairline away from the ground.

 

[Dewolf]

here is a picture,

 

[fried green eggs]

If it is laying flat they can get the egg to move from inside pressure. Give em time sometimes they need to rest.