How Low Can humidity go after pipping and Still Hatch?

[Bantam Username]

There's a crack next to the pip now!

 

[MuckyPuppy]

 

[pete55]

great news-keep us posted

 

[Bantam Username]

Woke up this morning to a bigger hole and lots of peeping, but humidity had gone down to 51% so rewet the paper towel which has brought humidity back up but there is no peeping now, when do I intervene? This all started yesterday lunchtime and now it is lunchtime again. Should I help now?

 

[MuckyPuppy]

Quote:
There are two thoughts on helping. One group never helps (strongest survives) and the other does (can't sit and watch a chick die). I belong to the can't sit there and watch a chick die group. I always help if I think one of my chicks are in trouble (usually my fault anyways).

I can only say what I do. I start thinking about helping about 24 hours after the chick first pipped. I know there are some people that say that they have had chicks hatch 30 or more hours after pipping but 24 is when I start paying closer attention. I'll watch it a while and if I think it is stuck or in trouble, I'll go in and help. I now make sure that there are no other pipped or zipping eggs as that just causes more problems and a person could end up spending a lot of time shelling out chicks.

There are people that will wet the pip (avoiding drowning the chick) or place a wet (not dripping) kitchen paper over the egg (making sure the chick can still breath) if they think a chick is stuck to give it a better chance for it to hatch out on it's own. I personally am more hands on.

You have to be prepared for an injured or deformed chick and know what you will do if it happens.

You probably already know this but this is what I do:
If you decide to help, just go slowly and make sure that your hands and anything you are using is clean. Look for any veins that may still have blood in them. Stop if you see blood filled veins, put the egg back and wait a while. If there is bleeding, stop. If the bleeding is a lot, apply a little pressure. In both cases, put the egg back (making sure that the humidity is still ok) and wait a while before trying again.

I'm sure that others have better advice and/or better ways of helping and I am sure they will post soon.

Edited to make sense!

 

[pete55]

Hi

Hang on in there as this is the most nerve wracking time! The first thing to establish is if the chick is still alive and at what stage are the other eggs. Have you a pen torch as a candler as you may need one?

Pete

 

[pete55]

Oh and what colour are the eggs? Hopefully white shelled as it makes life easier

Pete

 

[MuckyPuppy]

I knew someone else with more experience/knowlege would be along shortly.

Good thing too as I forgot to mention that I have a bowl of warm water one hand to dampen the membrane.

Good luck no matter what you decide to do!!

 

[Bantam Username]

They are white shelled, I have no other pips as they are not actually due til tomorrow anyway, this guy was early. He's still alive, I heard him peeping.

 

[Bantam Username]

I don't need to help, its zipping now.!