Please help! Day 23, no peep, but still moving with candling....

[cblottner]

Can someone tell me what to do? We started with 10 eggs, now down to 2. We're at day 23, but there is still obvious movement in egg with candling. Almost all opaque with chick, with air sac, just a 0.2cm area of clear with vein. Should we help them along at this point, or just wait it out? It's hard knowing they should be hatching, but aren't.

Any one with any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I know most would say leave it alone...it will hatch when it's ready. I just don't know if I could do that!

They haven't even pipped??

 

[chickenlady]

They will need to hatch on their own. If they have not even pipped yet, leave it be.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Oh darn! Are you sure that you have your days right?

 

[cblottner]

Yes, started incubating on may 23. It's killing me. I'd just hate for them to die stuck in the egg... I know I should keep waiting, but it's getting really hard. As we've had 8 die 1/2 developed, feathered out, must have been day 17-18 or so.

Anyone ever "help" one hatch with any success?

Thanks!

 

[lemurchaser]

If the temps have been a little low (or your thermometer reading a little high) they may not be fully developed. I would let them pip when they are ready, and then help if needed. If they haven't even tried to get out, I'd be worried it wasn't time yet.

 

[tazzy]

oh, good luck! I hope everything works out.

 

[clarkestep]

I placed my eggs in the incubator on May 23rd, too. It was 6pm so I'm technically on day 22 still. I still have 3 that haven't piped yet and still look alive under a light.

So far I've had 9 hatch, and I've got one in the incubator that I had to help. I don't know if 'she' will make it. I noticed that she was having problems as she never got past more than about a dime sized pip. The membrane dried up so I thought I'd just make the hole a little bigger. When I took a piece of the shell off the membrane was like paper-dry. I only wanted to get 'her' out of the dried parts so 'she' could do the rest 'herself'. I ended up taking her all the way out of the shell/membrane on all sides but one place. It looked like the yolk was in that area and I didn't want to hurt it. I took the chick and wraped it in a warm wet towel and put it back in the incubator. It just laid there for a few hours sleeping. It is now making cheeping sounds, so I think 'she' may be coming around and absorbing her yolk sac. We'll see if 'she' makes it throughout the night.

I think you should leave the eggs alone a few more days and keep an eye on them. I think someone here said to wait atl least 5 days after the due date if not oozing or stinking. That is what I am planning to do. This is my first hatch.

JC

 

[VanSintjan]

In my last hatch the last chicken hatched on day 23. I know our breeder have had chickens hatch on day 24 and 25 and turn out fine.

 

[Joy1]

I have helped three out, as it was obvious that the membrane was too elastic for them to push out of.I used tweezers and gently pulled the shell and membrane away.If they are breathing and have a leg or two clear they will gain enough strength to push themselves out completely.