Mahonri's 2nd Annual NYDHatch, watching them grow...

[ChooksChick]

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When I pip (I don't often) I do it on the very tip of the fat end, so it's less likely the hole will get in the way of them hatching. I also only do a tiny hole that allows fresh air in, but not enough to dry out the membrane, so it's like a millimeter square- not enough to actually see in and see what's going on. This allows me to feel like they can breathe, and I can force myself to leave them alone longer. I've definitely decided it's better not to 'help.'

 

[CRYSTALCREEK]

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If you take the pointy end of a pair of scissors, you can pip at the top center of the big end and enter the airspace without worry of breaking a blood vein. You can then carefully cut a small circle in the big end (dimesize?), again, in the aircell and without cutting any veins. You can then use a finger to check the membrane covering the chick for movement. If the chick is alive, you will probably have to moisten the membrane because it is probably shrink wrapped. Maybe someone with more knowledge than me can tell you how to proceed from this point. I have rescued shrink wrapped chicks but there was a lot of blood loss everytime I did it. It can be done. My best lav pullet was a shrink wrap rescue.

 

[wolftracks]

That's what I did and made it big enough to check the membrane, but the biggest chick took up the whole shell and I could tell it was dead. It wasn't shrink wrapped though.

Gees, there's just to much failure going on here. I'm so bummed out right now.

OK well.....someone go look at my EE pick and let me know what you think of this bird. I need chocolate. I gotta hit the kids' stockings or something.

 

[PepsNick]

It's a busy day in the thread, huh?

 

[wolftracks]

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Nick who is BG? That's aweful.

 

[wolftracks]

Oh and I did find chocolate.

 

[The Sheriff]

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OMG I read this fast and at first I thought you said you were going to go hit one of the kids!

 

[wolftracks]

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OMG I read this fast and at first I thought you said you were going to go hit one of the kids!

LOL

Not yet but Makayla got a cool cook oven for Christmas and she's driving me nuts waiting for the ice to freeze. She hasn't shut her mouth since 10am. Should have looked into a child sized muzzle for her Christmas present. Well actually as a gift for myself.

 

[Rathbone]

muzzle...you said muzzle...

sorry about your chicks - it is devastating. A week or so ago, on one of my hens I pipped the eggs. It had been 24 days (they usually hatch early on my silkies) I figured they were goners one way or another so I had nothing to lose - all five made it. (I pipped them and slipped them back under the hen). I just couldn't bear the thought of them smothering in there.

 

[wolftracks]

Yesterday all looked good and when I woke up I figured I'd have chicks. Decided to walk away and then I tried tapping and nothing, so I just knew I was in for a let down. I feel so bad I didn't help sooner, but I really thought they'd make it.