help!

[colien2000]

I decided to hatch chickens in my classroom. I have a coop at home for them. Today is day 21 and i am getting nervous. we candled them last week and nine out twelve were fertile. However, one started to move yesterday and then stopped, two others yesterday afternoon and then stopped. This morning two more but no pipping at all. Will they make it? I am so nervous!!!

 

[Sparkyfam]

What's your humidity? Have you heard any peeping from the inside? First thing that the chicks have to do is puncture that air cell inside, trust me, that's hard work for the little ones! Give them some time, and as long as your humidity is high, leave them be. You may have a surprise in the next day or two!

 

[colien2000]

The humidity is high but no peeping! They did shake the past two days. We are getting very nervous!!!

 

[my sunwolf]

55-65% humidity and 99-99.5˚F and you should be good to go. Avoid opening the incubator to check on them! Just let them be! Keep waiting, I have heard stories of chicks hatching on Day 25, though more likely is Day 22-23, especially if it gets a little chilly in the classroom. By the end of today you should have a few pips. Crossing my fingers for luck, please let us know how it goes.

 

[colien2000]

Thank you everyone! I heard my first peep! Maybe we will have some chicks before the students leave today!!! My fingers are crossed, they are very excited!!!

 

[colien2000]

OK Today no chicks! Candled the eggs and no movement! I Think this is it! I think they are all nonviable at this point. What should i do? I water tested them and no movement that way either.

 

[TweetyNPetey]

 

[my sunwolf]

Since it's Day 22, I'd candle and then start helping out of shells... last time I waited until Day 23 they had all died in there. But it all depends on the kind of aftercare you're willing to do. It may be better just to leave them in and tell your class "Oh well, next time." Just keep in mind that if you choose to help them out you can be dealing with crooked toes, unabsorbed yolks, etc. If you haven't seen it yet, I recommend the Hatching Eggs 101 article, it's been extremely useful for me.

 

[colien2000]

I tried to assist the opening but it was dead! I think I may go to store and buy some baby chicks and be like oh look they hatched over the break!!! My kids are very excited for this and I truly think that even though it is a fact of life they worked too hard to not have a good result. I am afraid to do the rest of them because I truly do not think they are alive!

 

[Sparkyfam]

OK Today no chicks! Candled the eggs and no movement! I Think this is it! I think they are all nonviable at this point. What should i do? I water tested them and no movement that way either.

When you say water tested them... did you completely submerge them?