How long do I wait to "help"...?

[CowgirlMama]

I have an egg that has pipped but hasn't progressed since lunchtime (now going on 7-8 hours). The hole isn't any bigger than it was then. The chick is moving and chirping and trying to get out, but isn't out yet... How long do I wait before I try to help it out a little? I don't want to if I can avoid it, but I also don't want to lose the chick!!! Oh, its under a broody hen, not in a brooder....

 

[CowgirlMama]

I need help on this ASAP!!! Just went out and checked, and the chick hasn't progressed out of the shell anymore than before! Still just one little hole... Should I help it out a little...?

 

[Sphinx]

My policy is that I don't help for at least 24-28 hours.

I've only done a few hatches, but most of my chicks took 18-26 hours to go from tiny hole to hatched chick. So, going on my "normal", yours is right on schedule.

Sit on your hands. It's stressful, but it'll be ok.

 

[Christie Rhae]

If it was me, after 24 hours I would help that chick. If the other eggs are under the hen it's not like they are gonna get their humidity messed up if you help one a little. There are tips on helping if you absolutely have to... run a search... might even be in a sticky.

 

[CowgirlMama]

Thanks! I've done some more research on here, and that's kinda the conclusion I came to... this is my first hatch, and the other 3 chicks that have hatched so far seemed to hatch fairly quickly (just a few hours). I'm starting to feel a little better- you'd never guess I was raised on a ranch the way I'm "fretting" over one little chick! I know some make it and some don't, but chicks just seem so helpless!! I'm hoping and praying that there is a new little baby in the nest tomorrow morning when I go out to check!

 

[CowgirlMama]

Thanks for all the advice! The chick finally made it out sometime last night or early this morning. I went out to check and and there "he" was all fluffed and dry and peeping away under mama hen! I also found another pipped egg that was QUITE loud and moving a lot!! Looks like #5 will be here sometime today!! That leaves just 2 more eggs to go...

 

[Christie Rhae]

Yay!!
that is what happened with my first chick. I was starting to panick that it had been too long, started reading how to help out a chick, right then it started busting out and I didn't have to help at all. Lol!