How do I know when/if to intervene with hatching?

[thegrovestead]

This is my 1st time hatching. I have one of two eggs hatched this morning. I can hear cheeping inside the other egg but the shell hasn't been punctured yet. How long can a chick last inside the egg before running out of oxygen? Should I intervene?

In general, how do I know if/when to help the little guys?

Thanks
Rory

 

[vehve]

Read this, and the most important thing to take away from it, is to not assist too early. It can take up to 24 hours or even longer for the bird to hatch after the external pip.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching

 

[thegrovestead]

Read this, and the most important thing to take away from it, is to not assist too early. It can take up to 24 hours or even longer for the bird to hatch after the external pip.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching

I knew there must be an article somewhere, thanks!

 

[vehve]

You're welcome. Any external pips? How long have they been peeping?

 

[thegrovestead]

You're welcome. Any external pips? How long have they been peeping?

I only heard some peeping once about an hour ago. I can't see any breaks in the shell. How long can they breath in that tiny airsack? I'm reading up on the article now.

 

[vehve]

The shell is porous and lets air through. Don't worry, it's working as it's supposed to.

 

[thegrovestead]

The shell is porous and lets air through. Don't worry, it's working as it's supposed to.

Thats what i needed to know -- that they won't suffocate. Thanks!

 

[thegrovestead]

The shell is porous and lets air through. Don't worry, it's working as it's supposed to.

I am reading through the article above and it states: "Assist if you have an internal pip and you hear chirping and no Pip..."

This is the case right now. Day 22, one hatched this morning about 8AM. I could hear chirping from the second egg around 11AM. No progress since, no pip. Its just after 4PM.

I would prefer not to go through the ordeal of creating an artificial Pip, but it seems like the "Assist" article is advising that I could. Just don't want to miss a window.

 

[thegrovestead]

I am reading through the article above and it states: "Assist if you have an internal pip and you hear chirping and no Pip..."

This is the case right now. Day 22, one hatched this morning about 8AM. I could hear chirping from the second egg around 11AM. No progress since, no pip. Its just after 4PM.

I would prefer not to go through the ordeal of creating an artificial Pip, but it seems like the "Assist" article is advising that I could. Just don't want to miss a window.

It's been ~9 hours since hearing chirping inside the egg, but still no external pip. And i haven't heard any more chirping.

Any suggestions?

Anxious First-Timer,
Rory

 

[thegrovestead]

It's been ~9 hours since hearing chirping inside the egg, but still no external pip. And i haven't heard any more chirping.

Any suggestions?

Anxious First-Timer,
Rory

Did not need to assist. The second egg pipped about 20 hours later and is in the process of hatching now.

Thanks everyone!