Help! This is my first time! I can't seem to get my incubator humidity up past 73%. My chicks membrane is white and thick looking (and someone told me that is a bad thing). I don't know what to think or do. My chick isn't "zipping". What should I do?
I am just a kid, but I have dealt with maybe two or three hatching's? Three I think. But if they DO need help, be very careful and make sure you don't hurt the chick inside. I have never needed to help my chicks, but I wish you luck.
HI Tx Mama. Which egg are you concerned about? How long since the first visible pip on that egg? The one in the middle left looks like it is making good progress. They often pip, then may rest for up to 24 hours before progressing to the next stage. The middle right one looks like it's pipping on the wrong end. But, as long as it's pipped, I'd give that one a good long time before helping: 24 hours. You might take your pics and question, and post them over on the She said he said thread. A lot of hatching experience on that thread, a lot of knowledge to help you along. Have you read "Hatching Chicks 101 in" the learning center? I recommend that as a first read before anyone even plugs in their incubator! From your pics, you have nothing to worry about yet. But your time line will provide more info. The worst thing that nervous hatchers can do is provide assist too early, or even when none is needed.
HI Tx Mama. Which egg are you concerned about? How long since the first visible pip on that egg? The one in the middle left looks like it is making good progress. They often pip, then may rest for up to 24 hours before progressing to the next stage. The middle right one looks like it's pipping on the wrong end. But, as long as it's pipped, I'd give that one a good long time before helping: 24 hours. You might take your pics and question, and post them over on the She said he said thread. A lot of hatching experience on that thread, a lot of knowledge to help you along. Have you read "Hatching Chicks 101 in" the learning center? I recommend that as a first read before anyone even plugs in their incubator! From your pics, you have nothing to worry about yet. But your time line will provide more info. The worst thing that nervous hatchers can do is provide assist too early, or even when none is needed.
A nice white papery membrane is what you want to see. Such as these:
I do assist when necessary, I think assiting is something that if you are comfortable with, you know time limits and how to assist, you shouldn't be afraid to do it. It is very important to wait until the vascular system is shut down between egg and chick or you can cause bleed out. One should not (in my opinion) start an assist on an unpipped egg, an egg that has not been pipped for at least 16/18 hours (it can take up to 24 hours to go from pip to zip) unless there is obvious distress/drying membrane (if the membrane is turning yellowish/brown and leathery/sticky looking) or the chick itself is weakend or in a position that is not going to allow it to finish the job.
The hatching 101 thread is a good one to read for incubation/hatching purpsoses and https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching is a great source for knowing when and how to assist if you feel it's neccessary.
ETA: And I am betting that the pointy end malepositioned pipper will need help to get out, so I would definitely read the assisted hatching thread.
xs 2 A nice white papery membrane is what you want to see. Such as these: I do assist when necessary, I think assiting is something that if you are comfortable with, you know time limits and how to assist, you shouldn't be afraid to do it. It is very important to wait until the vascular system is shut down between egg and chick or you can cause bleed out. One should not (in my opinion) start an assist on an unpipped egg, an egg that has not been pipped for at least 16/18 hours (it can take up to 24 hours to go from pip to zip) unless there is obvious distress/drying membrane (if the membrane is turning yellowish/brown and leathery/sticky looking) or the chick itself is weakend or in a position that is not going to allow it to finish the job. The hatching 101 thread is a good one to read for incubation/hatching purpsoses and https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching is a great source for knowing when and how to assist if you feel it's neccessary. ETA: And I am betting that the pointy end malepositioned pipper will need help to get out, so I would definitely read the assisted hatching thread. And congrats on the hatcher!
If it comes down to it and you need to do an assist and you want help or someone to walk you through it, send me a pm. I am on and off all day and sometimes near midnight. I homeschool my son and we are "relaxed" evening homeschoolers, so our day is very flexible. If I am around I will gladly help.
And congrats on the hatcher!
