It can be nerve wracking. I'm very neurotic, but some things to remember......Since it's day 19, even if you hear peeps it could well be another 1, if not 2 days before any chicks make it out. Even when you see that first pip it can still be another 12 hours or more until the chick makes its appearance. Once they zip it can take a while or it can be really fast (like 15 minutes) so there is no telling.
Once a baby makes it out don't be in a hurry to get them out of the incubator right away. If others are pipping and hatching you may lower the humidity too much. It's best to leave the incubator locked down until the hatch is complete and all are dry before removing them to the brooder which has been prepared. Then they can stay warm, eat and drink. I feel better leaving them in until either all are hatched or 24 hours has passed and I see no new pips. Now my husband is the one who wants to get them out.
The first time I was such a Nervous Nellie hovering around my husband dragged me out to dinner to get me out of the house. When we got back there were still no babies. The first arrived very late that night and then they were popping out all over. The first pips had started before I got up that morning.
So relax and enjoy, and have your beverage of choice if necessary.
lp!!!!
