Peep peep- Hatching right now!

[Kiki]

So far 3 have hatched and I can see 2 more pipping. Totally surprised because today is only day 19. Any insight to why they're hatching early? They are all a barnyard mix of heritage breeds.

Your temps probably haven't been perfect...I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[GoldenChooks]

Your temps probably haven't been perfect...I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Agree higher temps than normal, not high enough to harm the embryo, will cause early hatches and the chicks might even grow larger because of high temps.

 

[Rysktal]

I asked the women who I got the eggs from and she thinks she knows which hens they came from because their eggs do hatch first. Cool!

I took the 3 that hatched out because they were knocking the other eggs. Before I took them out I noticed 5 pips and kinda feel like maybe my hydration is down because the membrane that shows isn't clear. (I don't have a hydrometer). Before I took out the chicks I made the area steamy and then added in a damp cloth. That was 2 hours ago, the pips haven't started to zip yet but I do hear peeps and see wiggling. Fingers crossed!

 

[Rysktal]

PS. I got a front row seat of the 6 chicks that hatched under my broody, she so generously rolled them out before me to watch. One of her chick was shrink wrapped (I ended up assisting and chick survived) so that is my experience with clear vs. solid looking membrane.

 

[Kiki]

Are you putting the incubator hatched chicks under the hen?

 

[Rysktal]

No. Haha she wouldn't like that very much!

 

[Leaguinea]

Pip to zip can take a while, hours even. I wouldn't worry too much as long as there is chirping and wiggling. Most of the time it just means they piped prior to absorbing all the blood and yolk.

 

[Rysktal]

Thanks.
It's time for our evening chores now so I will take a peak before bed. I'm hoping I'll have a few more chicks by morning.

Hey 3 chicks though now tripples my success from last year!

 

[Rysktal]

 

[Kiki]

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