Is there anything I can do?

[callieisspooky]

If one of my eggs doesn't look as if the air cell is progressing enough. Would you intervene at hatching time? For example, poke a tiny air hole so chick does not run out of air? It's not lockdown time yet, so I could put the other eggs under my broody hen and continue to incubate only the one.

 

[hdmax]

If one of my eggs doesn't look as if the air cell is progressing enough. Would you intervene at hatching time? For example, poke a tiny air hole so chick does not run out of air? It's not lockdown time yet, so I could put the other eggs under my broody hen and continue to incubate only the one.

Why would you do that? At the very least, I'd wait until about the 24th, or 25th day before ever jumping the gun on it. Give nature a chance is my opinion!

 

[callieisspooky]

Yes, I meant at hatching time. Not sure if I mentioned that. Just wondering if anyone has done this on an egg with a small air cell, if it seems distressed, to give the poult a better chance. Or is it too risky, with loss of humidity.

 

[bugglesmommy]

I would not even consider interfering until they are overdue. Stepping in can be dangerous but sometimes necessary. Read over this link so you can make that call fully informed if it seems they are in serious danger but do not jump the gun.

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

 

[Tabbykat4706]

I would also wait until later to help chickens mature at different rates. At least in my experience they have. I have mine at day 20 and I am nervous because they have very irregular air sacks that just happened. But don't help not yet.