Once it's zipped, how long?? Should I help it?

[citychickers]

We awoke this morning to an egg completely zipped. No movement or anything though. I'm assuming the little one is sleeping, but how long does it normally take once it's zipped? I'm a natural worrier, so I'd love to just reach in there and finish opening it. Not going to do it though.

Anybody have any words of wisdom??? Thanks!

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

form 30 minutes to 3+ hours. Mine took 6 hours after it zipped. They do it intentionally

 

[klf73]

Mine usually pop out within minutes after zipping fully. The only exception I have had to this is when a chick zipped the shell but not the membrane. The membrane was rather rubbery and I had to help it out. Is the membrane zipped too?

edited to say that the only reason I helped this one out was because there was no air hole

 

[SGM]

Mine normally zip and start pushing to hatch rather quickly. You'll see them taking breaths between heaves. Sometimes peeping too. I just lost a chick with my last hatch of 2 eggs. The chick zipped almost all the way to hatching and stopped. I could barely see skin and feathers through the crack and knew immediately it had died. All I can figure is perhaps it drowned? I don't know. First one to ever do that before.

 

[lockedhearts]

There is no definitive answer. I have had them zip and pop right out and then had them zip and wait awhile. It is likely resting, I would resist the urge to help and just wait it out.

On the down side, sometimes despite pipping and /or zipping they still don't make it, this has not happened often, in my personal experience, but honestly it is best to wait and see.

I truly believe that a gut instinct will tell you when you need to step in and help. JMHO


Good Luck

 

[citychickers]

I can't see if the membrane is or not. I promised myself that I wouldn't open the bator. Luckily this egg is directly below the window. It appears that what I can see is dark, like red feathers. There's absolutely no movement though. It's stayed still for the last 3 hours. Sleeping hopefully.

 

[SGM]

I'd wait it out too. If its already gone then there's nothing you can do to help it anyway, but if its resting (which it very well could be) then opening the bator will only compromise the humidity and in turn its hatching ability. So I'd wait. Good luck! Hope the little hatchling hatches soon for you!!!

 

[citychickers]

Well, I went back over to the bator a few minutes ago and realized that the zip is complete all the way around now. The bird inside is still quiet, but obviously alive. We are just waiting!!!

 

[citychickers]

My daughter (8 years old) is sitting by the bator reading a book to the unhatched eggs called "What about Bettie?"

It's a book about duck eggs hatching and the ducklings are wondering why it's taking so long for "Bettie" to hatch. Talk about adorable.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Mine usually are out within minutes too. Good luck! Hope it's soon