Help?! Is this going right?

[ChickenMom-AK49]

Hi I have eggs that started hatching last night around 2 AM and its 2:27 in the afternoon now. They haven't shown much progress but they are chipping more of the shell off... However the membrane is still intact, is that normal? I can't see a beak or anything.. should I be worried? Should I help? Or should I just wait?

 

[ChickenMom-AK49]

I have thought I have to increase humidity maybe. They are in a brinsea 7 egg incubator (digital), but I am too scared to open it but I dont want them dead in shell I just lost 3 eggs last week and these three are my last try.. I'm just so worried about them, reminds me of when I was in labor with my son!

 

[HEChicken]

Yep, just wait. I had one hatch this morning who pipped 36 hours before zipping. Most times they pip 12-24 hours before they zip. You probably won't see the beak. While they are zipping you will hear a lot of chirping, and bits of shell falling. Then there will be a pause with no action while the chick takes a nap to recuperate for the next round of zipping, and turns to be able to access a new place in the shell to continue zipping.

As tempting as it is to help, more often than not if you show self-restraint and patience, they will hatch themselves unassisted.

 

[Big A Chickens]

I would wait it out a few more hours. It can take up to 24 hours for them to come out sometimes. Its up to you whether or not you want to help them out. Some people say not to do it because it promotes weakness in your flock, but I have helped mine out on many occasions with minimal problems. Just take off the top part of the shell where the air sac is very, very carefully. But as I have said it all depends on if you feel you need to help it out or not.

 

[ChickenMom-AK49]

I have almost had to tie myself to my chair and we've all been watching in anticipation since we saw they actually pipped! SO exciting! I can't wait

 

[ChickenMom-AK49]

I'll give it until tonight and if there is no progress I'll try helping. I just take the shell off slowly without hurting the membrane correct? Then would I set the egg back into the bator?

 

[Tripp16]

I'll give it until tonight and if there is no progress I'll try helping. I just take the shell off slowly without hurting the membrane correct? Then would I set the egg back into the bator?

IF you help get some tweezers, and just chip at the shell in the same way the chick would zip around the shell. If you are hearing peeps I wouldnt worry it could still be absorbing the yolk and when its ready will zip and come on out.

If you hear frantic peeps it may need help. If I help I usually only open a hole to where it can get more oxygen in. Unless it has been a looong time since its done anything and I dont hear peeps. Sometimes helping can do more damage then good though.

Be careful and if you see blood, STOP.

Good luck!!

 

[ChickenMom-AK49]

I wanted to update you wonderful ladies! Baby #1 is out! There are two more pips as well and a Lotta cheeping going on!

 

[MuranoFarms]

Congrats on the baby!

 

[HEChicken]

Great to hear they are hatching well!