How Long After Internal Pip Should You Assist

[tanner17567]

Hi there! My distracted Mom brain forgot to write down the date I set the eggs (it was a very last minute decision as they were the last eggs from my favorite hen who left us tragically on Christmas Day). I know I didn’t set them right away, but I don’t remember waiting all that long either. Only one developed and I can hear her chirping now!

So I’m somewhere between Day 22-24 at my best guess. I’ve candled her and marked the air cell, and I believe she’s internally pipped, but I’m getting a little nervous! I am emotionally invested in this sole egg, and I think that’s why I’m having a hard time waiting.

I first heard chirping on Monday, morning, around 7 am and saw the egg rock back and forth a few times. Waited until that evening and candled her. I saw what appears to be the shadow of her beak and some feathers in the air sack, so I think she’d internally pipped at that time.

But now it’s Tuesday night and there’s no progression. No sign of an external pip, but she did chirp when I picked up the egg to check on her. She’s breathing just fine, but at this point should I give her an external pip?

To recap, it’s been 38 hours since I heard chirping and saw egg rocking, and about 24 hours since I’m pretty sure I saw her internally pipped.

 

[WVduckchick]

Good to know!!

Eating and drinking as soon as possible is better than giving them 3 days, in my opinion. Humans "can" go 3 days without water too, but do you like it? Dehydration can start sooner than 3-days.

Sorry, this is one of those "they say" things, like float testing eggs, that really make no sense to me and I personally disagree with. I don't mean to sound argumentative, everyone has their own opinions, so I'm just sharing mine.

 

[Pyxis]

Yep, with a safety hole she should be fine until morning for sure. If she hasn't started to progress on her own 24 hours from the safety hole that's when I personally would start assisting further.

Humidity should be a little higher, around 65% if you can get it there.

 

[Pyxis]

Excellent! And just in case you do need to assist further, this article should help:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

 

[tanner17567]

This is her momma, Friend, in the front. Chickaletta is our White Leghorn and that’s Princess Leia in the back. All named by my son

 

[tanner17567]

Just gave her a small hole. She’s chirping and I can see her beak right there.

 

[tanner17567]

Can you post a picture of it?

 

[RodNTN]

Eating and drinking as soon as possible is better than giving them 3 days, in my opinion. Humans "can" go 3 days without water too, but do you like it? Dehydration can start sooner than 3-days.

Sorry, this is one of those "they say" things, like float testing eggs, that really make no sense to me and I personally disagree with. I don't mean to sound argumentative, everyone has their own opinions, so I'm just sharing mine.

Oh, I know. And you're not being argumentative, I know what you mean I was just referring to hatchery chicks. Since they have to be shipped, handled, etc.

 

[Pyxis]

When you candled, did you see a moving triangular shadow in the air cell? Like this:

If so, then yes it's internally pipped, and if it has been 24 hours since the internal pip, I would go ahead with a safety hole.

 

[Lil Peeps]

Looks good, I'd bump up the humidity to 60-70% now and leave her in a closed incubator and let her have some time to make progress. Prayers for her to make it out quickly and all right!