Help with hatching!

[PolloGal]

Hi. I have 2 chicken eggs have pipped and zipped and were moving just fine in the shell about 7 hours ago. Now…can’t see any movement for a couple hours, and membrane is turning brown. Humidity remains at about 70%. There are 4 other eggs that have not pipped far as I can see, and 5 fluffy ones that hatched yesterday (the actual hatch day) still in incubator. We haven’ lifted the lid at all for fear of drying out the remaining unhatched eggs shells. We had a few hours power outage 4 days ago, but hooked up the generator pretty quick, so no sure that would have caused a problem. Do I intervene or let nature take it course? This is only my 2nd hatch. Appreciate some help…worried…thank you.

 

[junior67]

Once mine start zipping it is normally pretty quick. I would read the article on assisting and assist. But that long after they start zipping would worry me.

 

[PolloGal]

I decided to find out what was happening. It just seemed long enough…too long even. And, with the outcome, I think I would decide to help sooner next time. Both little ones didn’t make it. I agree, now, that 7 hours is too long to wait after they have zipped so much and regret not helping sooner. The chicks seemed just fine and strong while they were zipping. Anyway, I did take a few pics…hoping an experienced eye here may be able to tell me what may have happened? Thank you everyone…for your support and help. I don’t know what I would do without this site to help me through these things…repeatedly.

 

[PolloGal]

I'm so sorry , can you take them completely out of the shell and see if there are any malformations? They may have not been strong enough, some kind of birth defect since you had other chicks hatch without an issue.

Thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate you all!

 

[Huntmaster]

Some argue that if they aren't strong enough to break free, they won't survive,

It's not so much they won't survive but there are reasons usually why they can't out get themselves and most are not willing to have inferior issues in their flocks. Especially if they breed for selling or for themselves. Just not good practice for superior traits in flocks, mother nature usually knows best that's how it is in nature only the strong or best traits survive and not passing on inferior traits. But if they are only pets or not worried about inferior traits then by all means help as you wish. I'm not against helping but there are limits to what reasons to help for some folks.

 

[CloneFly]

They may be taking a break.. if the membrane is dried out though, you may need to assist hatch

@SmiYa0126
@Eggcessive

 

[Ridgeback825]

7 hours to zip is much further than I'd let them go. I too play chick sounds to encourage them but assist of they seem to have stopped progress for more than 3 hours. The article listed above is a great resource. Hoping for the best! Be sure to post pics!

 

[Huntmaster]

Sorry to see they didn't make it But there may have been issues with them deformities/incubation issues/issues with parents/nutrition hard to tell. I wouldn't beat yourself up they may have not made it even with your help.

 

[Huntmaster]

I understand that and agree. But, for my backyard flock, every hatch counts. If I were buying a pure breed stock, I'd want the best too, but I just want eggs. Issues with positioning inside the shell or minor humidity problems shouldn't be a death sentence and I won't watch a chick die because of a minor hurdle. Even mother hens peck the pip to get them going. There's nothing natural in a heated box either, yet here we are. I just feel that the purists flood reality sometimes. Didn't mean to ruffle any feathers.

No feathers ruffled here I believe that is exactly what I stated. The statement made was they wouldn't survive I was just pointing out the reasons some don't like to help

 

[PolloGal]

They may be taking a break.. if the membrane is dried out though, you may need to assist hatch

@SmiYa0126
@Eggcessive

I thought maybe a break too…but concerned about the brownish membrane. Any one have experience enough to know which I should do? Or how much longer I should wait?