HELP

[tanyachickens]

I had two sets of eggs in each incubator the first set hatched two days early and only five hatched. the second set is now a day late hatching. it looks like some are alive but not peeping out. I can't even hear any peeps. What should I do?

this is a first time with these incubators and it's a school project.

 

[Megan Amber]

Well sometimes they are a bit late but I might would candle them if your sure you don't hear anything, or you could wait another day just to be sure. What was your temperature during incubation and your humidity level, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, tanyachickens, and

! Pleased you joined us! I'm a rookie hatcher so I'll defer to experts in the link below - good luck to you!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/5/incubating-hatching-eggs

 

[miquwid]

your in good hands here that post above is great!

 

[tanyachickens]

I had the temperature at 99 but for a few days it was a little lower. The humidity at 65 than higher at day 18 to 22. There looks to be an attempt at breaking through the shells on two eggs but nothing more. Should i help the viable ones out?

 

[Megan Amber]

As hard as it is not to help I usually try to make myself wait until there is at least a clear pip. Otherwise you risk killing the little guy. I have had them hatch late before, there is a chance they could make it. It's probably the days the temp was off that is causing them to be late. I would wait and see if they make anymore progress by tomorrow and then go from their. If you do help though, just chip a little shell away at a time and stop immediatley if you see any blood. Remember slow and gentle is the key. But if it were me I would take the risk off waiting to see if they do anymore on there own. Good Luck to you!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[tanyachickens]

thanks so much for your help and advise..i decided to leave them until tomorrow. Than when I went back to the school last night I heard a peep but it was at the bottom of the egg?? I helped it a little by removing some of the membrane. No other eggs were showing any signs of movement of peeping. I hope the little guy made it through the night. I will see today.

if there is no other peeping should I do the water test?

 

[Megan Amber]

I would, I always forget about the water test! Good you have one that's hatching!