The fact 24 out of 46 made it to lockdown SHOCKED me. I was genuinely nervous, especially with my past two batches. I was seriously thinking "I'm screwing up bad." Maybe not!
The incubator was open for maybe 10 seconds tops each time, and the humidity never dipped below 60 and it's back up to 70.
They say if you get a 50% hate rate on shipped eggs, you've done quite well!
You did FABULOUS and a wonderful job at that!Tomato had an emergency. I was noticing its chirping went from lively to panicked then lethargic in a quick period, and had been half-way zipped since this morning. The membrane seemed a little dry so I pulled it out to wet it. And then noticed another chick's membrane had glued a good portion of the zip it already made shut! I'm not sure if this was the right call or not. Maybe I should've waited, but the one that is actively zipping is still going so maybe it's okay! There was only one other pip I've noticed but it's fresh and I put the TINIEST little blip of coconut oil around it just in case.
Tomato was definitely glued into its shell, so I carefully wet the membrane and helped it out. It was SO tired by the time I got it out. It'd been actively trying to hatch this whole time and I thought it was just slow.
Tomato's now finally starting to wiggle around!
I'm not 100% sure I made the right call, but that stuff covering the membrane the way it was REALLY was even difficult for me to get off.
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If they are struggling to get out, especially if they are glued to the shell, this is how you get them out. Slow working with oil or even warm water. As long as they aren't bleeding, keep going. Excellent job, this little one should recuperate soon!! 
They say if you get a 50% hate rate on shipped eggs, you've done quite well!
You did FABULOUS and a wonderful job at that!
What a sweetie. I’m just hoping I didn’t cause harm to the other eggs in the process, but I’ll be ready to assist if I need to. There was no blood thankfully, he was soooo ready to be out. I had corn starch on hand in case there was any, wet the membrane with coconut oil, and worked super duper slowly. I’m so glad there’s a hands on hatching help thread. It helped me stay calm!
Wow, rough start for Tomato! No more sticking to things or your name will get changed to Tomato Paste
welcome little one!
Now I know what to call Tomato when it's in trouble! Total full name energy there. Haha! Very rough start indeed, but gosh I'm so relieved. I'd been waiting and waiting and waiting to intervene because I didn't want to intervene too early, but I'm so happy he's out.
I think one MAY have been a Red Phoenix maaaybe? The egg shells are taking up so much space, I feel bad for leaving everything in there but I don't want to mess with it any more after helping Tomato. Everyone is so cute! Fingers REALLY crossed the Ameraucana hatches especially, and... well, everyone!
You've got a great hatch going here!!13/24 are officially out so far, and we're still on day 20! I think we had two more brown leghorns pop out while I was away from the room.
