That is good advice and an elaborate explanation.
I, on the other hand, rarely assist unless I think it was my fault they couldn't do it on their own. They haven't needed our help for millions of years. Survival of the fittest. If they aren't vigorous enough to hatch on their own, I don't want them here.
Survival of the fittest is only applicable if you are using eggs that have not been shipped and you don't have little ones opening the incubator at inopportune times.
(It seems I'm not very good at the last one )
When the eggs are shipped the air cells can be to messed up for the chick have any chance of hatching properly on its own, but the overall vitality of the chick can still be very good. On this next hatch with the shipped seramas I'm not going to wait for an external pip before I jump in. I feel confident that the la bresse have not had their air cells compromised so I'll let them do their thing.
All that being said. IF the eggs have not been transported far. IF the conditions of incubation where favorable and IF nothing unforeseen happens during hatch out I do agree that the ones who cant make it out of their shell are more likely to have issues than their companions.
Some have success with nail polish. I've used that and beeswax but never had one hatch. 2 settings ago I dropped 2 eggs. It put a divot in one and the other had cracks on over 50% of it. I had a jar of liquid skin bandage close by. I covered all cracks with it. Both eggs hatched and chicks are fine.
I've never had luck with bees wax either. I like the idea of liquid skin. Its probably more breathable without compromising the egg. I think I may have to pick up a bottle in case of another accident.
I'm so excited! My very first hatch! Wish me luck!
