Pip, now what?

[BLaBauve]

I had a pip this morning around 11. I heard the chick cheeping all day, and now it's silent. It hasn't started to zip, is this normal?

 

[QuackerOats]

Yes, I think that is normal. I'm not really an expert though... The chicks can sometimes take a day or so to completely hatch. Cracking the egg is hard work for them. They take a lot of naps and then get to work again.

Congratulations on your chicks!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I have come to believe that when a hatchling pips that's when they begin to absorb the yolk, so you don't want to do anything for at least 24hrs. Can you see it's beak? Good luck.

 

[BLaBauve]

No, I can't see it's beak. I did hear it cheeping recently though. I just don't know when I should intervene. I thought it would have started to zip by now. None of the other eggs have pipped. This one started much earlier than the others. I just hope it's not struggling.

 

[BLaBauve]

There are 2 pips in the egg I just realized. Is that normal? They are close to each other.

 

[Kittymomma]

It will probably start zipping soon then, that is likely what the second hole is, the start of the zip. In anycase it's far to early to start thinking about helping, chances are good that you'll do more harm then good at this point. I've had them go from nothing to completly hatched in under 30 minutes and I've had them take more then 24 hours from pip to anything else. Both of those chicks did just fine and were from the same hatch. Just sit on your hands, try not to worry too much, and enjoy the show.

 

[BLaBauve]

Thank you. This is my first hatch, Even after all the reading I've done I still don't know what to expect!

 

[debilorrah]

Let it be. I never even think about helping until after 24 hours with no progress. AND if there are any other pips DO NOT OPEN THE BATOR.

 

[BLaBauve]

Ok thanks for the advice. I will not open it!! I think it's making progress! Can anyone ever hear them picking at the shell?

 

[abanjaf]

Absolutely! The kids think I'm nuts when I'm leaning over the ventilation holes trying to listen over the fan for the tap, tap, tapping!!! Oh well, can't contain the excitement, you know?!