Any updates??? I'm on my 4th attempt to hatch chicks--and, last attempt left only one live chick that started off on its hatch day by chirping right back at us each time we chirped at it--EXHILARATING, and rocking back and forth--like in sync with a heartbeat (like you asked previously)--I asked the same thing out loud (no one answered me in my kitchen) "Is that consistent rocking back and forth a sign of heart beating / heavy breathing each heart beat OR distress???" After 2 hours, it stopped moving and chirping. AHHHH WHAT TO DO? I again googled what to do--and, broke down and safety pinned a hole after 2 hours, to see CLEARLY that there was NO movement or heartbeat inside the egg either, so I gently and very cautiously continued to pick away the eggshell from the airhole, and around to the tip--to find that the poor little thing had been breech/upside down inside the shell. Devastating, is all I can say to describe this scenario. I've read all over to NOT assist, to WAIT for 24 hours before worrying too much... I'm a VERY cautious and rule-following type person--but, I swore after this particular experience, that: if I can hear chirping, this means that the chick made it / pipped into the aircell, and that I will NOT feel guilty to add a safety hole if my gut suggests--especially if I cannot see into the egg, or that I cannot see movement (I was SURE that the movement I was seeing was of distress vs. normal hatching movement). If I then make a safety hole and can see movement or beak or breathing, then I'll put it back into 'bator and maybe consider helping a little bit more along the way if it seems needed (as long as not to pierce blood-vessel layer). I learned to trust my instincts after following the traditional rules--because I regret that I could have saved it's life--or, I'd feel less guilty if I'd have tried to help sooner. Anyway, I hope this worked out for you--please post update and pics if applicable!
, I'll make sure to give that article another look
, ill make sure I read it
