I NEED TO QUIT!

[Lil Chickie Mama]

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I don't suggest incubating yourself...the temperature is really warm, around 100F, humidity is a killer...though living in the south helps adapt to that, plus...it seems awfully cramped in an incubator...even the big cabinet types... The big question is...what would you be when you hatched?

Ed
(sorry...been cleaning out an old freezer that had been without power for a month or so....my mind is still foggy from the, uh, er,..."stuff" that I dipped out.

LMAO! I'd be a Polish! Oh yeah!

 

[Wynette]

jacyjones, GOOD HATCHING VIBES coming your way!!!

 

[Nicola]

4 out of 5 of my recent eggs pipped ok i oly had to help a pip the chick piped but rather than the usual hole a chunk of shell was lifted so about after an hour of the chick trying to puch the peice of shell off i carefullt took it off so it could breath.it is in the brooder right now running around like a mad hatter

 

[jacyjones]

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Thanks - I need them, I am very nervous and only on day 3!

 

[Wynette]

Awe, I'm sure it'll be an excellent hatch! I'm excited for you!

 

[I LOVE COCHINS]

Quote:
Thanks - I need them, I am very nervous and only on day 3!

Hi jacyjones,

Just remember when you see a pip that is a good thing, it means that it is in the aircell! Even if the chick makes a mistake I've read and pips on the small end instead that it is still ok and it can still hatch just fine.
Also after a chick pips it still might need to absorb the egg yolk and the blood. Chicks might not hatch until 24 hours after the first sign of a pip. When I see a sign of a pip I will gently tap on the incubator and I also talk to it. I have noticed that doing that encourages them to move. I use a small flashlight and shine it on the pip/zip.
Just remember that pip does not mean that the chick needs our help. Good Luck and remember were here if ya need us!

 

[Wynette]

You can also whistle to them....sometimes, you can hear them peep back from INSIDE the shell, even before they pip!

I had one that took over 28 hours to zip after she had pipped...she's doing just great now, just took her a bit longer. I've also had some that pipped, zipped, and hatched within 2 hours! They are all different, so don't get worried when it's that time.

Will you be hatching in egg cartons, or just lying down? You'll find varying opinions on this, I believe it's a better hatch if you put them in egg cartons on day 18 (fat end up). I do trim my cartons way down, just in case they pip on the side, so I can see. I believe it helps them to hatch, because I think it must be easier to pip/zip if the egg is fairly stationary; also, the other hatchlings aren't pushing the unhatched ones around like bowling balls!

 

[jacyjones]

Brilliant info - thanks everyone! I will take your advice and talk and whistle when the time comes. I was going to hatch lying down (well not me lying down, obviously!!) but it makes sense to use egg cartons so thanks for the tip - the books don't tell you that! This forum is amazing!

 

[Wynette]

Another quick hint on egg carton hatching: use pulp cartons - they breathe better. Also, it's a good idea to cut away the bottoms, too, for better air circulation. And, I always use a Jumbo sized carton; this way, there's a bit of "wiggle room" around the eggs, and you can often see them actually wiggling before they pip!

I'm excited for you!

 

[jacyjones]

Thanks - I can see I'll be PMing you when the time comes with terrified questions. thanks for your help and support.