Incubators Anonymous

[WinklerFarms]

Good luck whatever you do, let us know how it turns out.

 

[Arielle]

I have a hatching problem HELP! I have 3-4 GNH that are still alive and moving in the eggs, but have not pipped. Today was day 22. If they are still alive tomorrow and not pipped should I help and HOW? I have never helped them pip.... just never had this happen. I feel sure they will be dead tomorrow.

I NEED them.... what to do

Have they internally pipped? Pete55 has great info based on parrots, as they are very valuable and candles them a lot and assists.

I have chipped thru the air cell to access, then opened from there. I don't know how to find where the beak is to chip around the egg. THe down side is sometimes the chick needs a bit more time and the inner membrane bleeds too much.

THough I have had some that I wish I had candled during lockdown and I might have saved a few that had internally pipped.

Good luck.

 

[cluck-cluck]

Like Arielle said, I've heard people will open up the top of the egg carefully, see if the chick is still absorbing it's blood vessels and yolk, and if so, give them more time. I've also watched videos of people helping the chick out, they do it very slowly, usually under a warm light with tweezers or something and they dab water on them constantly, I'd watch a video or two?? My last hatch(and first hatch ever) had one chick that pipped but never came out. I watched it... and watched and I don't know what went wrong, but it just died and I kept wondering if I should have helped it?? No correct answer there??

In other news, I got a shipping notice today for serama eggs. I didn't think they'd come till next week! But they should be here Wednesday and so I finished building my second incubator! Wow, I sure hope the eggs are ok this time around and that I get a chance to hatch 'em!!! Yaaay!!!!

 

[Arielle]

You can see thru most eggs to see if the chicks has internally pipped; opening the top allows more air into the egg, but also allows for moisture loss. Always tricky business helping a chick.

I usually help after the external pip, and use a long screw to pick off the shell, then lift off the outer membrane, trying to miss the inner membrane which is very fine and clear ( this is where the blood vessels are.). A good look at the inner membrane will tell you to continue or wait. Usually if the chick has a good breathing hole it will be alright and either get itself out, or need help getting out.

I also prefer to not help the chick out entirely, as pushing with its legs is an important developmental stage for using his legs for walking /running.

I've had some successes and some losses when helping chicks. I usually help because I know I am new at incubating and the mistakes are mine and not likely to be a genetic fluke. I have culled a few after helping them when I realize they have a malformed body which was the likely cause of it not hatching; others I'm sure I didn't have the right temp.

 

[DMRippy]

When I do help I remove only the top and make sure they are not shrink wrapped. They NEED to kick out of the eggs. Usually when I get the top off they will kick right out.

 

[Arielle]

HOw are they doing?? ANy external pips?

 

[DMRippy]

HOw are they doing?? ANy external pips?

I have not gotten to the farm yet. I will let you know tonight.

 

[cluck-cluck]

Oh my gosh, a real live FARM? I'm so jealous! LOL

Sigh, I'm so sick of the city..........

 

[DMRippy]

Oh my gosh, a real live FARM? I'm so jealous! LOL

Sigh, I'm so sick of the city..........

Well, that just depends. I have about 300 chicks/pullets/breeders on 63 acres and 3 barns... that is it. One day there will be a house. The main part of the farm is in NASHVILLE, but it is rural and the address in from the next county. We have several creeks and springs and CRITTERS. Deer, turkeys, turtles, hawks, snakes..... the neighbor found a HUGE timber rattle snake the other day in the back 40.

I have seen copperheads at the creeks. We are close to everything.... 10 min either direction. I like that. We are right off the MAIN highway and you can hear all the traffic but it is not right in front of the house.

The down side, it is a lot to keep up. Tress fall and have to be removed, grass has to be cut, driveway (gravel) is always needing to be repaired. Then there are the chickens......

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Sorry--forgot. THat means you also don't have a house full of chicken dust!!