How long to wait before helping?

[Bookspryte]

I set 36 eggs in January and of those 27 made it to lockdown. The first three hatched yesterday on day 20. Six more hatched today. I have two other eggs that pipped and partially zipped yesterday but still haven't hatched. As with my first hatch, I'm using egg cartons. I had to help out one of my chicks from my first hatch.

I don't want to jeopardize the two or three other eggs that have pipped, but I don't want to lose these two, either.

Suggestions? Or should I just leave well enough alone until tomorrow?

Denise

 

[Mahonri]

If they've zipped and it's been 4 hours and they aren't out, if you don't help, they won't make it.

 

[melody]

If you still see them moving or breathing I will let them be. Can you post a pic?

 

[BirdBrain]

If it were me I would get a spray bottle of warm water, open the bator, take the babies out an spray water to boost humidity. Then caefully zip the top off. It may be that the membrane has dried down on the chick and it can't progress. On my last hatch this happened with two babies. When I pulled off the top I saw the babie was shrinkwraped and couldn't move. I gentally pulled back the membrane and saw no blood what so ever. Time was of the essence so I carefully squeezed the egg to crack the bottom 2/3 of the shell. That allowed me to pull away the shell and leave the membrane which was practically glued to the chick. I felt the chick would get chilled if I tried to wipe off the membrane with a damp rag. So, I ran warm water in the sink and, protecting the face, I washed that baby under the water, dried it with a towel and put it back. I did the same with the other one. They are happy year old chickens living at my folks, and yes, they turned out to be spoiled rotten pullets.

 

[laurenish]

If the chicks are poking out already, why would it be harmful to just take off the entire shell for them?
I've never seen or experienced eggs hatching (but I hope to) so I was only wondering....

 

[bigstack]

I have a kinda same question. I have 3 pips. its been 8 hrs. no zip but 3 pips. (small broken spot on shell) The membrane in punctured on all 3. I can see a tiny hole in each membrane. should I wait or try to help zip or crack egg? I dont want to lose them. but I dont want them to bleed to death either. they are wiggling and cheeping. am I just too anctious ????? Am I just worrying for nothing? Please advise!

Thanks and God Bless!

 

[mediazeal]

Quote:
pips can take up to 24 hours before they start to zip
a small pip is a breathing hole, not a problem
give them plenty of time
and I do not help a pipped only chick
there is usually a reason they stop
it's if they have a larger hole but can not turn
that means you can SEE the clear shellac around the egg of the hole
a pip might not even show chick, just a small break in the egg to let air in....

go baby go!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I wait 12 hrs after intial pip. If there isn't any progress I will start to peel the shell away. If there is any blood, stop put back in bator and give a hour or two, then start again. I would not crush the whole shell at one time because if the viens still have blood in them you could cause the chick to bleed to death. Helping takes time. Don't hurry it. Good Luck.

 

[bigstack]

Ok, thanx!! Im just so over protective. I know they depend on me now to act like mom. lol

Thanks again and God Bless!

 

[Chosen Chickens]

Quote:
Just because they pipe doesn't mean they are for sure ready to hatch yet.... there are external blood vessels running throughout the egg and at the very end is when these are shut off... even if the chick has piped the vessels may not be ready and then you risk the chance of having the poor thing bleed to death if it isn't ready yet.