NEEDING NEW HELP PG2! ASAP!

[KinderKorner]

I am so impatient I've hatched a few times and I always want to help after like 6 hours. Everyone says you shouldn't open incubator but I always do, and have good hatch rates. I probably shouldn't though, I just can't help it.

This time I decided not to help. And egg piped 2 nights ago, and I fought back the urge to help after a day. I could see it breathing I figured it could get out. Well today I couldn't resist the urge. So I went in to get it. Sadly it was DEAD! I'm so mad at myself. Everyone says not to help. But here is a perfectly good chick that was pipped, and I sat back and let it die! I wish I would of helped like I normally do. Now I feel really guilty. I know some just don't make it. But it still makes me sad. *crosses fingers* I hope my other 25 hatch out.

Out of 28, the one died. And I have two healthy chicks hatched and fluffing. They have been in there for nearly two days. I think I need to remove them. The eggs weren't even due until Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. They won't live if I leave them in there 4 more days. Anyway, to help keep humidiy in? I think a wet towel draped over it sounds like a good idea.

 

[Chicktastic]

Sorry you lost your chick.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

AWWW I'm SO sorry for your loss! I know how you feel. First time hatching can be so stressful! I had to help a couple of mine out as well but mine were pipped for days and still a weak peep in the egg. I could not help myself. I had to. Those two are very healthy today. Here is a thread on my first one I helped out. He lived for FOUR days. When going to throw out the egg (thinking he was dead) I heard a weak peep and wahlah! Here is what I got!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=104132

 

[Sandy K]

I'm so sorry you lost your baby, but you never know when it's best to leave things alone and when to interfere. Even the experts can be wrong, so you just have to go by your instincts.

I've had to cry my eyes out when I made the mistake of trying to help a weak chick out of the shell, only to have her die a few days later. It seems that if the chick has too much trouble hatching out, it's due to another reason other than just being a bit tired. They usually have internal problems, (underdeveloped organs,) crooked toes and/or feet, or could experience brain damage. It's just so hard to tell.

I've gone from one extreme to the other- from trying to help each tiny chick from its shell to just walking away and trying to ignore possible problems with the hatch.

Only you can make this decision in the future- it's a double-edged sword, as if you fail to help, you beat yourself up for not doing it. If you do help and the baby doesn't live, you beat yourself up over interfering. You just have to take as much knowledge of each experience that you can, as that will help you and countless others who find they can then ask you for advice. If you learn from each situation, you can at least know that the death was not in vain. To me, that would be the biggest loss.

Try to focus on the positive, and just do the best you can and learn as much as you can. Have the very best thermometer and hygrometer you can, and go by those! They are your best friends when it comes to hatching in an incubator, so use them!

I notice that you raise Silkies, so you already know what great mothers they make. Use what you have to ensure good hatches, and take pride in what you're doing. Please don't feel like you haven't done the right thing, as only you can determine just what the right thing is in this type of situation. It's obvious your heart is in the right place, so take comfort in the knowledge that people know what you're going through and care. That means a lot.

From a fellow Kentuckian,
Sandy

 

[KinderKorner]

I used to have a rooster with crooked feet, and about 10% of his chicks got them too. I would splint them with toothpicks their first few days. Then you could never tell they were every any different.

I've helped chicks before and saved them, and I've helped chicks before and accidently killed them. You never know. I'm hoping that at least half of my other eggs make it though.

 

[Teresaann24]

Quote:
thank you for such encourging words! I have hatched ALOT of chicks under broodies. Have a broody on 7 eggs due april the 14th.
I never even thought about getting a incubator until I was getting so many eggs and not selling enough and didnt want them to go to waste. (Since i dont eat them) Put in 6 fresh eggs and this is the end result. One hatched and is healthy already in the brooder eating and drinking. One i tried to help and died one with a pip and 3 more with nothing yet. 3 were due today. 1 that already hatched hatched yesterday and was due today. I feel like I have done somthing wrong but am unsure. Temp in still air LG held from 100 to 102 running more along 100.6 and 101 humidity has been between 40-50. Candled eggs all developed normal as I could tell. Up humidity on day 18 turned every day up till the 18th day for 3 times a day. Temp is 100.8 and humidity is holding at about 67 going to 70 each time a chick pips or hatches. I dont know what i did wrong. Membrane didnt seem tuff not to wet inside the eggs either. I have 20 waiting to put in on monday. I feel like why should I even try again???

 

[Teresaann24]

Now that this has happened i am scared to do more..I need help this time.

I have one egg piped last night too about 12. So in a hour it will be 24 hours. No progress...should i wait or help? I need your alls help this time in deciding.

 

[william9792]

i would wait and let it come out on its on, sometimes it takes mine 48 hours after they pip to come out. if you rub the side of the bator will it move its beak to where you can see it? if it will wait. as long as i see them moving i do not help. william

 

[Katy]

Wait.

 

[Teresaann24]

I'm gonna wait see what we have by morning. i'm sitting here holding the lone chick he/she is very lonely!