I think I killed my chicks...

[HereChickChickChick88]

They can’t bust through the membrane - the first I thought was just weak but now just have done something wrong - only briefly opened (I mean less than 5 seconds) incubator on day 19 (and none were pipped at the time) to add water and now they bust the shell but not through the membrane. I’m so sad. Hoping at least 1-2 out of the 6 makes it - so far 1 is def done (zipped about 20% and couldn’t break membrane and stopped) and 2 have just broken outer shell as a pip but not the membrane and neither have started zipping.

 

[HereChickChickChick88]

Here they are... so sad - I feel awful

 

[HereChickChickChick88]

I can hear it chirping and see it trying - Should I do anything?

 

[Scott214]

How long have they been trying to hatch?

 

[lena_]

How long have they been trying to hatch?

If it's been more than 24 hours, they'll need assisting. There's an excellent article here on BYC about assist hatching. I'll go find it...

 

[HereChickChickChick88]

Well the original partially zipped one for about 2 days (it stopped zipping about 9 hours ago) and this new one just (the pip w no zip where you can clearly see the white membrane) started sometime between 2:30am and 5:30

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Opening the incubator during 'lockdown' really isn't as big of a deal as you read. That shouldn't have made a difference.

From your pictures, those pips actually look fine. What is the humidity? If you're really worried and the zipped egg hasn't made any progress for 15-30 minutes and is quiet, take the egg out of the incubator and remove the top, and (gently) remove the chick from the egg.

Hope it turns out well!

Edit: Just saw your last post. Get the zipped egg open. If it's been that long, it is most likely dead. The pipped eggs look okay.

 

[Welshies]

What is your humidity at? I'd up it to 70%

 

[lena_]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching.64660/

 

[HereChickChickChick88]

71% and it’s been steady above 65% since lockdown - and mostly above 70%