So I've got a question for those out there who may have done this? In my experience I have always hoped for a large hatch and want everyone to get out safe but I also do not want a weak chick or poor quality adult??? I have not one to help a chick hatch much. So I would like to know about others experiences please.... Do you help chicks out of the egg? How do you know when to help? What about bleeding? What about yolk sacs? Thank you so very much!!!
Every hatch I've had so far has been the same, seems as though the eggs are too hard or that the inside membrane beneath the shell is too tough for the chicks to get out. Previously, I have assisted quickly with the hatching and have had several die as a result. Soo, this past hatch I decided I would not help, let them hatch on their own. But I still felt as though the chicks were having problems getting out after pipping, very slow to no progress. I still waited about 10 hours before interfering, some had made some progress, some hadn't. My few hatches before had very low hatch rates anyway, sometimes as low as 2 out of 16. I did my research about humidity, etc and finally got some things straightened out I HOPE and this past week had a hatch of 7 out of 12. This is what I do when I assist. I first start by peeling off JUST the shell, not the inside membrane then let the chick be for a couple more hours. If still no progress I begin peeling the membrane off around the face and head. If it is wet and very bloody STOP, the chick isn't ready or isn't strong enough to survive. If the inside seems just slightly wet and not very blood, gently peel away from the head, the back, maybe even the feet. DO NOT PEEL AROUND THE STOMACH OR PULL AT THE STOMACH AREA. The 7 I helped were fairly dry when I FINISHED the peeling away. I try to help as little as possible by peeling off some then leaving the chick to struggle some more, then peel some more and leave it again. Statistics stay that the more you help, the more likely the chick is to die. I have found this to be true. I always avoid messing with the stomach area or if it gets bloody, i leave it to dry up some more. Of the 7 I helped, 6 finally got out of the shell. 1 died in the shell (was very bloody when I tried to assist) and 1 that I had to get almost completely out was a "runt" and died after 2 days. So although it is said to NOT assist, I have always had to, mostly with little good results. But this past time saved almost all that pipped so I'd say use your own judgement. Hope this was helful, sorry so long.
Very well said.... Me...Peronally...Could not add to what kycowgirl78 had to say..... I wish you the best on your hatch.... And Remember.... When in doubt....Call on the fine people of BYC......I have...... And they have pulled me through....
