March Hatch-Along Thread- Come Hatch With Us!!!!!

[animaladdictions]

I did read the guide to assist hatching... But how would I do it? Just chip away gently at the air cell area with tweezers or my fingers? And would I take the egg in the bathroom and turn on a hot shower? I've never had to help before, and I'm very nervous to do so. Also, is there a chance the chick could be deformed, and die anyways?

There's always that chance..even with a normal hatching. I just sit on the edge of my bed...(incubators are in my room)...and use my fingernail or tweezers and yes, slowly start pulling away the shell. Take the shell down to where the bottom of the air cell is (the part that's covering the chick). It's so hard to describe how to do this! If you go too far down and see blood, don't panic...it's ok. Just stop, pat the blood with some tissue or a clean towel, put it back in the bator and try again in a few hours. From the looks of the pic, the chick has already pushed its way through the inner lining and is ready to come out. It probably just got turned around and is exhausted from trying to get out. Let us know how it goes!

 

[thehappynunu]

Went into lockdown today with 5 eggs out of 6 that I started with!
Now the excitement begins!

 

[BantyChickenLuv]

Thanks so much, both of you... I'm going to go ahead and, like you, sit on my bed and gently chip off the air cell part of the shell, with a cup of water in hand to dampen the membrane. Does this sound right? I think I'll only do this for now, and see if afterwards the little guy can do the rest on his own. I still have the other chick in there though, would it be best to just go ahead and put him in the brooder, or will he be fine in there, even after I put the one I assisted back in?

 

[hokankai]

You can remove Stormy now that he's been in for about 24 hours. Sounds good to me. You can also zip for the chick and let him push his way out. However if he is in the wrong position, like a foot near his head or something, he might exhaust himself. Just check him for a slow in progress.

 

[BantyChickenLuv]

You can remove Stormy now that he's been in for about 24 hours. Sounds good to me. You can also zip for the chick and let him push his way out. However if he is in the wrong position, like a foot near his head or something, he might exhaust himself. Just check him for a slow in progress.

How do I finish zipping for him? On the guide to assisted hatching, it talked about making an artificial pip, but not and artificial zip...

 

[hokankai]

Just use the pointed end of a pair of tweezers. Looking at your pictures the zipping looks a little erratic instead of a clean line. If it were me I would just remove the top of the shell completely where it's zipped, and then put it back and let it kick out of the shell on its own.

 

[threadgeek]

I have a second pip but its at the bottom! Since my eggs are supported in an egg carton, I'm thinking I should take this one out of the carton and lay it on its side. I would take the incubator into a steamy bathroom to keep the humidity up while I have the lid open. Should I do this??? Should I wait to see if any others pip at the bottom???

 

[hokankai]

Sounds good to me

 

[Cynthia12]

How do I finish zipping for him? On the guide to assisted hatching, it talked about making an artificial pip, but not and artificial zip...

The baby looks like it's almost out..you could go ahead and just take off the top part slowly, no blood?... keep going until it is off. The chick will do the rest..like, pop out. Hope it is a healthy chick for you.

 

[Cynthia12]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Passing hugs...

I'm sending healthy thoughts your way for your remaining birds. I too am afraid of animals getting my birds and we built what I think is a sturdy coop. Would you mind sharing how large the whole was that they got through?

Btw, I got a pip!!! Here's a picture... I think it may take a while before the chick starts zipping? It's my first hatch. I know this is going to keep me up all night with excitement.

Don't you love having the lines? You can see right where that little beak is. This little guy couldn't have pipped in a better spot! )