Prolonged zipping - advice needed

[bcchick22]

Oh wow, thank you for your story!! I agree with the heightened sense being quarantined at home, as well as it feeling like maybe a bigger deal because of everything going on.

This morning they haven't pushed through but are peeping vigorously. Given the others haven't pipped and that in retrospect the temperature may have been on the lower side I wonder how long I should let them go before intervening further and fully helping them hatch, or if they're still absorbing their yolks. This morning marks 48 hours since the first pipped.

 

[MLG1900]

Oh wow, thank you for your story!! I agree with the heightened sense being quarantined at home, as well as it feeling like maybe a bigger deal because of everything going on.

This morning they haven't pushed through but are peeping vigorously. Given the others haven't pipped and that in retrospect the temperature may have been on the lower side I wonder how long I should let them go before intervening further and fully helping them hatch, or if they're still absorbing their yolks. This morning marks 48 hours since the first pipped.

Can you take a pic of what they look like now? I am curious what the membrane looks like. Is it white, soft or getting shrink wrapped? Do you see any blood vessels in it?

 

[bcchick22]

Did an assisted hatch. Membrane was like cement where exposed, and it took me awhile to massage it off those parts. There were no veins and no yolk sac, they were both definitely ready to hatch. One of them has a slight umbilical protrusion. They're back in the incubator now to warm. There is definitely gunk and membrane still on them - the one pooped, so the vent is clear and I think both of their eyes are cleared.

Right now we're leaning towards washing them both carefully and putting them under a brooder lamp on paper towel instead of in the humid incubator. Thoughts??

Both are peeping very loudly, but largely lying on their sides. The wings seem perhaps a bit glued down. Oh - both have now pooped.

Does cleaning and dry, warm brooder sound like a preferable option to leaving them in incubator with some membrane on?

 

[MLG1900]

Did an assisted hatch. Membrane was like cement where exposed, and it took me awhile to massage it off those parts. There were no veins and no yolk sac, they were both definitely ready to hatch. One of them has a slight umbilical protrusion. They're back in the incubator now to warm. There is definitely gunk and membrane still on them - the one pooped, so the vent is clear and I think both of their eyes are cleared.

Right now we're leaning towards washing them both carefully and putting them under a brooder lamp on paper towel instead of in the humid incubator. Thoughts??

Both are peeping very loudly, but largely lying on their sides. The wings seem perhaps a bit glued down. Oh - both have now pooped.

Does cleaning and dry, warm brooder sound like a preferable option to leaving them in incubator with some membrane on?

So they are totally out now? How long has it been?

I would say, Yes. If it has been at least and hour or two and they do not appear to be getting "downy" I would wash them with some warm water. Just be very gentle and careful. I can remember my one chick ended up getting stuck like glue on it's back and could not move! Don't be alarmed if some down pulls off when you wash the "glue" away. Keep us posted! I can't wait to hear about any updates!

 

[MLG1900]

So they are totally out now? How long has it been?

I would say, Yes. If it has been at least and hour or two and they do not appear to be getting "downy" I would wash them with some warm water. Just be very gentle and careful. I can remember my one chick ended up getting stuck like glue on it's back and could not move! Don't be alarmed if some down pulls off when you wash the "glue" away. Keep us posted! I can't wait to hear about any updates!

Oh! And I would put back in the incubator after the bath to dry before moving to the heat lamp. I just think it is super warm and no drafts there. Perfect for drying!

 

[2 many chickens]

When a chick is zipping and hasn't progressed after 15 mintues, I intervene. Your chick was ready.

 

[bcchick22]

They've only been out half an hour, but are sort of lying in poop in the incubator. I think we're going to pull them out and bathe them carefully and blot dry with a paper towel (any reason not to do a hair dryer on a low setting?) - question is whether we put them in dry bin lined with paper towels and heat lamp to fluff, or back into the incubator which we're still trying to keep humid for the remaining eggs...

 

[2 many chickens]

I would wash them. If you don't it will get much harder and chick will have a hard time moving freely. Put them back in the incubator to quickly warm up, then move them to brooder to finish drying off.

 

[2 many chickens]

They've only been out half an hour, but are sort of lying in poop in the incubator. I think we're going to pull them out and bathe them carefully and blot dry with a paper towel (any reason not to do a hair dryer on a low setting?) - question is whether we put them in dry bin lined with paper towels and heat lamp to fluff, or back into the incubator which we're still trying to keep humid for the remaining eggs...

Chicks will be wet after a bath, so humidity will go back up. You can move them to brooder after they've warmed back up.

 

[bcchick22]

Ok they are washed and looking good so far. They were both protesting very loudly and pushing hard with their feet while being bathed. As recommended, have put them back into the incubator for now to dry off - we did a blot dry with paper towel and used a hair dryer with diffuser. They both were mostly standing when we put them back in. Their feet still look a curled to varying degrees - is that still from just being in the egg?

Both vents are clear and their eyes are clear. I had a hard time with some dried membrane on top of their heads but their beaks are clear now.

I'm really hoping they dry quickly so we can move them to the brooder. The question is what the heck to do with the rest of the eggs. We'll amp the humidity for sure and leave them for now, but should I candle or tap to assess, or just wait? Does low humidity have a big impact if they haven't pipped yet? Ie how hopeful are we about the remaining eggs?

Thank you so much for all your comments. This is very harrowing, especially for newbies.