I cant be the only one.....

[CluckNDoodle]

The OP said, "pick up a hatching egg" not talk through the plastic.
You might, but you could also get fired.
https://www.pasreform.com/en/knowledge/6/optimum-timing-for-pulling-day-old-chicks

You are correct and I likely misread her meaning and I've also lost my imaginary job at the hatchery so that's that I guess.

 

[toredano]

Yes..I do pick up my eggs when they are close to hatching and I candle about 6 or so times during incubation...I listen to it peeping,once they have made a hole to see if its still alive.These few seconds wont make a difference. They have been laying eggs for thousands of years .. not every situation is perfect for the egg and they still manage to hatch.

This is not a thread about why people should not pick up eggs or handle them whilst hatching. It is not recommended per se but I never had anything not hatch because I handled them.

 

[K0k0shka]

Chicks can hear from inside the shell and gather information about the environment they'll hatch into - the sounds of their mom, flock mates, predators, etc. and then recognize them as familiar after they hatch. Like human babies, who also hear from in there and then recognize their parents' voices after they're born. So talking to your eggs would get them accustomed to you and your voice. It's good for them