On day 20 of first hatching - have several questions

[eblevens]

My daughter (who is 10) is attempting to hatch her first chicks. They're mostly golden Sebrights, with a few Araucauna/buff Rocks crossbreeds as well. We do not have a way to gauge our humidity in our Little Giant still air incubator, but have been following the directions. We filled half the water channels for the first 18 days, and all of them when we went into lockdown and took them out of the turner.

Candling at day 14 showed us 13 developing chicks. Temperature has been a steady 99-101 the whole time.

Today is day 20. One of our Sebright eggs pipped about 7 hours ago with little to no progress. There's no condensation buildup, and I'm worried that my humidity isn't enough. Any tips? Also, should I be worried at the lack of progress by the first pipped egg?

I'm completely new to all of this.

 

[song of joy]

Humidity can be increased by adding a wet sponge to the incubator if you think it's too low, but if all the water channels are full, I leave it alone so you don't compromise the egg(s) that have pipped.

It's not unusual for it to take 24 hours from pip to hatch, so don't be concerned. Hatching is hard work, and they rest often.

Best of luck on your hatch!

 

[Titanpaul726]

My daughter (who is 10) is attempting to hatch her first chicks. They're mostly golden Sebrights, with a few Araucauna/buff Rocks crossbreeds as well. We do not have a way to gauge our humidity in our Little Giant still air incubator, but have been following the directions. We filled half the water channels for the first 18 days, and all of them when we went into lockdown and took them out of the turner.

Candling at day 14 showed us 13 developing chicks. Temperature has been a steady 99-101 the whole time.

Today is day 20. One of our Sebright eggs pipped about 7 hours ago with little to no progress. There's no condensation buildup, and I'm worried that my humidity isn't enough. Any tips? Also, should I be worried at the lack of progress by the first pipped egg?

I'm completely new to all of this.

I agree with song of joy. But if you're really concerned, wet a sponge and try to slip it in quickly without removing the top all the way. I always have a sponge or two ready in case I need them.

 

[WalnutHill]

Look through the window at the membrane around the pip. It should be paper white, not tan. As long as the membrane is white, and the chick is breathing, everything is fine. It is a lot of work for them to hatch, and they need to do a lot of internal preparation before they do. Enjoy!

But if you are worried, a damp sponge won't hurt if you slip it in quickly.

 

[scflock]

My daughter (who is 10) is attempting to hatch her first chicks. They're mostly golden Sebrights, with a few Araucauna/buff Rocks crossbreeds as well. We do not have a way to gauge our humidity in our Little Giant still air incubator, but have been following the directions. We filled half the water channels for the first 18 days, and all of them when we went into lockdown and took them out of the turner.

Candling at day 14 showed us 13 developing chicks. Temperature has been a steady 99-101 the whole time.

Today is day 20. One of our Sebright eggs pipped about 7 hours ago with little to no progress. There's no condensation buildup, and I'm worried that my humidity isn't enough. Any tips? Also, should I be worried at the lack of progress by the first pipped egg?

I'm completely new to all of this.

x 2 on pip-hatch time. It takes an average of 12 hours from my first pip to first hatch, especially if that first pip is on day 20. Just the fact that you have gotten them to the point that they can pip means that you have done something right, so just sit on your hands for a while. It seems like it takes forever, especially with your first batch, but 7 hours is totally normal. I'm on day 21 myself, had my first pip at 3:00PM yesterday, and didn't get my first hatch until about 8:00 this morning

 

[eblevens]

I was able to slip a sponge in quickly, underneath the unplugged air hole so I can re-wet it without opening. This is nerve-wracking stuff! I think I can hear some soft tapping!

 

[eblevens]

And just in the few minutes since my last update, I have an egg rocking, lots of tapping and a very robust round of peeping! No more pipping yet.

 

[scflock]

And just in the few minutes since my last update, I have an egg rocking, lots of tapping and a very robust round of peeping! No more pipping yet.

It's going to be a long 36-48hrs

 

[Titanpaul726]

And just in the few minutes since my last update, I have an egg rocking, lots of tapping and a very robust round of peeping! No more pipping yet.

They are on the way!!

 

[eblevens]

Finally some progress on first pipped egg, 10 hours later. A second has pipped as well. Day 21 officially starts in a few hours. This is completely awesome!