Incubation Question...

[Mill Chick]

Having some hatching problems with the last egg... it had been several hours with no progress, so I decided to check on the egg. The membrane where it had pipped was dry, so I peeled a small amount of eggshell off, and it began bleeding slightly. The bleeding stopped and I put it back in the incubator, but still no progress, and it's been about 2 hours. I'm starting to get concerned... will it hatch by itself, or do I need to assist it in some way?

How long has it been pipped for?

 

[The Chick Addict]

How long has it been pipped for?

About 9:30 this morning... it's now almost 10pm.

 

[Mill Chick]

About 9:30 this morning... it's now almost 10pm.

Ok, leave it in till tomorrow then if there is still no progress than go a head and assist him. Eggs should not be assisted until 24 hours after they pip! There are some pretty good articles in the article section on assisting eggs.

 

[Mill Chick]

Ok, leave it in till tomorrow then if there is still no progress than go a head and assist him. Eggs should not be assisted until 24 hours after they pip! There are some pretty good articles in the article section on assisting eggs.

I would not be surprised if you woke up and had another chick though!

 

[MountainWoman73]

Having some hatching problems with the last egg... it had been several hours with no progress, so I decided to check on the egg. The membrane where it had pipped was dry, so I peeled a small amount of eggshell off, and it began bleeding slightly. The bleeding stopped and I put it back in the incubator, but still no progress, and it's been about 2 hours. I'm starting to get concerned... will it hatch by itself, or do I need to assist it in some way?

Sounds like it might need an assist. What you did so far was right. If you see blood it needs a little bit more time.

Be prepared for any outcome. I've had this go both ways. I had one last week that pipped outside the air cell and took more than 36 hours to hatch. At 24 hours I chipped away a little bit, saw blood, and stopped. Waited 12 more hours, then peeled off around half of the shell, and put it back in. Little one was able to push out the rest of the way on its own.

Another time, I tried to help one that had pipped and not made progress zipping, and found that it had developed wrong, with intestines on the outside. It was alive and we had to kill it. Kind of a bummer.

Good luck .

 

[The Chick Addict]

Ok, leave it in till tomorrow then if there is still no progress than go a head and assist him. Eggs should not be assisted until 24 hours after they pip! There are some pretty good articles in the article section on assisting eggs.

I would not be surprised if you woke up and had another chick though!

Thank you so much, this was very helpful! I left the chick in despite my worries, and lo and behold, he was hatching! He successfully hatched, and I just put him with my broody and the other chicks.

 

[The Chick Addict]

Sounds like it might need an assist. What you did so far was right. If you see blood it needs a little bit more time.

Be prepared for any outcome. I've had this go both ways. I had one last week that pipped outside the air cell and took more than 36 hours to hatch. At 24 hours I chipped away a little bit, saw blood, and stopped. Waited 12 more hours, then peeled off around half of the shell, and put it back in. Little one was able to push out the rest of the way on its own.

Another time, I tried to help one that had pipped and not made progress zipping, and found that it had developed wrong, with intestines on the outside. It was alive and we had to kill it. Kind of a bummer.

Good luck .

This is so informational! Thank you so much.

I did the same thing, saw blood and put it back, although it wasn't at 24 hours. And it's quite true that things can go both ways, during one of my past hatches one chick needed an assist and I was worried it might not survive. Thankfully it did after a long time of helping it (the chick ended up being shrinkwrapped) but it passed away later.

Thank you so much again, this was extremely helpful!!!

 

[Mvan42]

If the membrane is to dry use a little coconut oil to moisten. But you have gotten good advice so far. Some take longer than others. Be patient (this is the hardest thing to do) if the chick starts chirping really loud (seems distressed inside the egg) or stops moving alot then thays when I would assist. Go slow if u assist. Take ur time. I like to open the top of the shell like the chick has zipped it it's self. Normally the chick will then push out when ready

 

[The Chick Addict]

Thank you all so much!!! The last chick hatched successfully and is doing wonderfully with her mom and siblings. Thank you all again for your wonderful advice, info, and support!!!