Help with First Hatch

[kittykat2003uk]

Hi all

New here had chickens for years but used to have a broody hen who hatched them out.. We gave up our farm last year so are trying the incubating way.

Right due today... 2 have broke the shell but not the membrane at 8pm its now 12:30am and nothing stll but chirping chicks inside. 2 more have just don the same

When do i start to help them ?

thanks

 

[ScissorChick]

Hi, and welcome to BYC!

Once they start chirping, it'll be another 24 hours or so before they start trying to pip. Don't get

in a rush.

Usually, I don't like to see "When do I need to help" Because it's not normal to help.

Your not supposed to, and most chicks that are helped out of the shell die before crowing age.

But... I am guilty of helping many shrink wrapped chicks, and only two out of about 10 that I have

helped had the strength to live. Do not mess with your eggs, because your situation is with-out

a doupt totally normal. Just keep the incubator closed, and watch

 

[kittykat2003uk]

Thanks!

I felt so guilty as about 7 days ago i was candling with a bulb and a empty toilet roll holder and managed to drop one so it had a 3mm crack in it... so not knowing what to do i put a peice of tape across the crack i felt so guilty it was the opposite bit of the air sack, i have now invested in a proper candler. But it lived and he/she was the first to pip

i am so happy

I have humidity at 71% so i hpe this is right as there are so many different answers i have seen.