On day 20 of first hatching - have several questions

[WenterRooster]

This is my first time hatching eggs. So far I have 2 that have pipped. I hear them chirping periodically which is just awesome. Hopefully I will have many more hatch. I have been doing everything by the book so it should be fine. I do have a question. At what point do you assist a hatchling to complete coming out of the shell?

 

[Titanpaul726]

The little guys look like they're having a hard time huh? I won't help for 12 hrs or so.


Let them do their thing, they'll be OK. It definitely looks like they're not going to make it, then one last push and they're out!

 

[scflock]

This is my first time hatching eggs. So far I have 2 that have pipped. I hear them chirping periodically which is just awesome. Hopefully I will have many more hatch. I have been doing everything by the book so it should be fine. I do have a question. At what point do you assist a hatchling to complete coming out of the shell?

I wouldn't consider helping until after 24 hrs. Sometimes they arent meant to hatch. Culling a four day old chick with problems isnt fun

 

[eblevens]

My first pip is now at 12 hours and is actively hatching. Two others pipped, so 3 of my 13 are doing something. Day 21 has just started. I'm hoping the first one finishes before my daughter goes to bed in three hours. I don't plan to assist any at all because I don't know what I'm doing and would probably do more harm than good.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

This is my first time hatching eggs. So far I have 2 that have pipped. I hear them chirping periodically which is just awesome. Hopefully I will have many more hatch. I have been doing everything by the book so it should be fine. I do have a question. At what point do you assist a hatchling to complete coming out of the shell?

If you are lucky, never. But I am right in between the two that have gave you their opinions. I wait until 18 hours, then I only "assist" by widening the pip hole to check and make sure everything is ok with the chick, (and it usually is) then I wet the membrane and stick him back in and wait until 24 hours, then I would probably advance my assistance to starting a zip line.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

My first pip is now at 12 hours and is actively hatching. Two others pipped, so 3 of my 13 are doing something. Day 21 has just started. I'm hoping the first one finishes before my daughter goes to bed in three hours. I don't plan to assist any at all because I don't know what I'm doing and would probably do more harm than good.

That's a good plan..not to assist, it keeps people from assisting to soon or when not needed, however, give a read over the assisted hatching page if you haven't just in case the time comes...

My average is between 12-18 hours. Playing videos (youtube) of chicks cheeping by the bator keeps them motivated (especially during the zipping process). I play a certain video periodically repeated during pip and especially when I have one zipping. It's never taken more than 15 (ish) minutes for my chicks to zip once they start. (At least the ones I see zipping...lol)

 

[Drewnkat]

That's a good plan..not to assist, it keeps people from assisting to soon or when not needed, however, give a read over the assisted hatching page if you haven't just in case the time comes...

My average is between 12-18 hours. Playing videos (youtube) of chicks cheeping by the bator keeps them motivated (especially during the zipping process). I play a certain video periodically repeated during pip and especially when I have one zipping. It's never taken more than 15 (ish) minutes for my chicks to zip once they start. (At least the ones I see zipping...lol)

Don't leave us hanging, what video is it?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Don't leave us hanging, what video is it?

Oh...lol I use this one:

It's only 27 seconds so I play it 2-3 times in a row and then give it a rest (unless I have zippers, then whenever they stop too long I play it again to get them going...lol)

 

[scflock]

Oh...lol I use this one:

It's only 27 seconds so I play it 2-3 times in a row and then give it a rest (unless I have zippers, then whenever they stop too long I play it again to get them going...lol)

I accomplish the same thing by leaving the chicks in there

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I accomplish the same thing by leaving the chicks in there

I kid you not, I've found the recorded cheeping to be a bigger motivator than the "real thing". Seriously. And I also use it for first hatcher, when there are no others...lol On a lighter note: I can have the best of both worlds. Chicks in the bator fluffing up where I can interact with them....and motivation for the others.