March 2023 hatch-a-long

[3KillerBs]

Well, since I opened the incubator up for a while to take the hatchlings out and thus dropped the humidity significantly, I decided to check the unhatched eggs.

The one that was half-zipped hadn't made any progress and found the membranes at the end of the zip dry so I chipped it back to moist, soft membrane. This chick is noisy and vigorous, just still in egg.

The one that had just pipped didn't have a hole in the membrane, just dry membrane over the pip -- which isn't particularly promising. I opened that up and put a safety hole into the air cell, but since that was wasn't peeping or wiggling it may have been DIS before I took the others out.

The totally unpipped one got a safety hole.

I am NOT a fan of assisting hatches -- especially not after dealing with Slowpoke last year. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/slowpoke-a-reality-check-after-an-assisted-hatch.77702/

But since I had the incubator open for a good while and it's dry in the house due to the heat running I figured that this is one of those exceptions, especially for the vigorously moving (and complaining), half-zipped chick.

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

Not 100% sure how many have hatched. I was concerned about getting them into the brooder and working quickly because I discovered that despite hatching being going on for over 24 hours I still have an egg that's half-zipped and one that's pipped.

Oh, they are so cute

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

I honestly have no idea! I do hope the little one figures it out. The blood veins are still looking about the same and there is still some movement. Part of me want to help the little one but 1) how? I don’t really know what’s going on and 2) how much good would it do anyway? Probably none as it would still need to absorb the blood vessels and yolk.

I agree. The temptation is real, but take it from someone who had gone through it, it’s best to let nature take its course, especially since it hasn’t even pipped yet. It’s too stressful trying to play catch up on a little thing that usually isn’t strong enough to overcome any damage that may be done. I think it is weird, as well, that although the veining looks strong, there looks to be a lot of space let. Fingers crossed for you

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

Well, since I opened the incubator up for a while to take the hatchlings out and thus dropped the humidity significantly, I decided to check the unhatched eggs.

The one that was half-zipped hadn't made any progress and found the membranes at the end of the zip dry so I chipped it back to moist, soft membrane. This chick is noisy and vigorous, just still in egg.

The one that had just pipped didn't have a hole in the membrane, just dry membrane over the pip -- which isn't particularly promising. I opened that up and put a safety hole into the air cell, but since that was wasn't peeping or wiggling it may have been DIS before I took the others out.

The totally unpipped one got a safety hole.

I am NOT a fan of assisting hatches -- especially not after dealing with Slowpoke last year. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/slowpoke-a-reality-check-after-an-assisted-hatch.77702/

But since I had the incubator open for a good while and it's dry in the house due to the heat running I figured that this is one of those exceptions, especially for the vigorously moving (and complaining), half-zipped chick.

I think every action depends on the situation, and certainly you know best in the moment. Can’t wait for pictures

 

[3KillerBs]

I think every action depends on the situation, and certainly you know best in the moment. Can’t wait for pictures

I'm in the waiting and seeing stage for that one.

 

[Kikilu]

Lockdown tomorrow! Still trying to sort out the best set up for my MHP. Better sort that out soon.
Candled tonight. Think everyone looks good but hard to say at this stage. Air cells are quite large on my Isabel orpingtons and small and not sloped on my lavender orpingtons and marans.
Guessing my Ameraucana and EE will be first to hatch then Isabel, lavender orp, marans lastly brahma.

 

[Iluveggers]

I added water at lockdown and kept it at 30 before hatching

I always keep my lockdown humidity at around 60%. Maybe it was too low?

 

[Kwoka]

what day are you on?

Technically day 21(in Europe) I just had one hatch right after midnight (first thing it did was wake up my kids, thanks little screaming bird) so these babies are on time. They’re from my own flock, so no shipping damage to worry about, and no pressure to “make sure” they hatch, or get my money’s worth. It’s honestly refreshing lol

 

[junior67]

I know….I’m completely lost. It was fine as far as size when I put it in for lockdown. I mean they are Call ducks so I don’t know if that has anything to do with it or not.

I don't know anything about hatching ducks but know from reading threads here they make a bruise on the egg when they try to pip. I would post a thread and be sure to mention duck egg.

 

[junior67]

Technically day 21(in Europe) I just had one hatch right after midnight (first thing it did was wake up my kids, thanks little screaming bird) so these babies are on time. They’re from my own flock, so no shipping damage to worry about, and no pressure to “make sure” they hatch, or get my money’s worth. It’s honestly refreshing lol

I am going nuts waiting for peeps and I am only on day 19