Just hatched chicks eating the eggshells????

[robnms]

Is this safe or should I pull them out, I'm waiting on 1 other egg to hatch and it pipped this morning? Also, how long should I leave the chicks in the bator after they hatch??

Edit: One more question, my last egg pipped on the bottom side of the egg around the 5:00 position, should I roll it over to the top? I can do this without opening the bator.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I personally would leave them alone. They are not going to eat enough to hurt themselves. If one has pipped, I'd also leave it alone. I don't think it would hurt if you gently rolled it over, but then one of the other chicks is likely to play soccer with it and roll it back. I think it is best to just leave them alone and not interfere.

After they are all dry and active, you can take them out. I'd make sure the last one to hatch was active before taking them out. They can go two to three days without eating and drinking, so you should be in no hurry.