Should I assist this hatch?

[WVduckchick]

Possible.

I'm asking the OP to verify, because it makes a big difference on when the chick might continue to hatch.

 

[annampet]

In other words, did the chick hit the air cell inside or not?

The air cell became weird at the end. It was normal throughout development but when I put the incubator in to "lock down" and stopped rotating, the next time I checked (which was for the internal pip) the air cell almost ran lengthwise down the egg.
The chick did hit the air cell, even though it wasn't normal.

 

[annampet]

Our normal humidity right now is 79% and I do have a pan of water under the grate in the incubator. I think that should be enough...?

Hands off. If it’s not actively creating a bigger hole after 24hrs you can check to make sure it’s not glued in. As is you need to up the humidity to 65-70% and not open the bator again.

The chick rests after the first external pip and absorbs yolk. It can take time for that to happen.

 

[WVduckchick]

The air cell became weird at the end. It was normal throughout development but when I put the incubator in to "lock down" and stopped rotating, the next time I checked (which was for the internal pip) the air cell almost ran lengthwise down the egg.
The chick did hit the air cell, even though it wasn't normal.

That's what we call "draw down". It happens as the chick gets into hatching position.
If it did pip into the air cell before breaking the shell, then 24 hours is a general guideline to wait before assisting. (if it had missed the air cell, then 36-48 hours may be needed, since it "skipped a step") Assistance may be required sooner, if the membrane starts drying out or the chick starts struggling.

Drawdown:

 

[WVduckchick]

Our normal humidity right now is 79% and I do have a pan of water under the grate in the incubator. I think that should be enough...?

That's fine.

 

[annampet]

It makes me feel better to know it's normal! Thank you!
I'll continue keeping an eye on the chick and hopefully report back when he/she gets out

That's what we call "draw down". It happens as the chick gets into hatching position.
If it did pip into the air cell before breaking the shell, then 24 hours is a general guideline to wait before assisting. (if it had missed the air cell, then 36-48 hours may be needed, since it "skipped a step") Assistance may be required sooner, if the membrane starts drying out or the chick starts struggling.

Drawdown:
View attachment 1470261

 

[WVduckchick]

It makes me feel better to know it's normal! Thank you!
I'll continue keeping an eye on the chick and hopefully report back when he/she gets out

Awesome! For future reference, draw down happens about a day or two before internal pip, so its a good way to know (for us impatient hatchers) that its getting close!

 

[annampet]

Chick has successfully hatched!! I ended up assisting slightly, just pulling a little of the loose shell when it started its zip and then left it. It hatched about an hour later for a total of 19 hours to hatch.
Thanks for talking me through it everyone! Who knew hatching was so stressful!
I’ve had 5 now successfully hatch from this batch of 12 eggs, 4 more have pipped and waiting on the other 3. 2 are showing signs of internal pips. So I may be back LOL

 

[annampet]

Still resting. Im sure he/she must be exhausted!

 

[WVduckchick]

Congrats!
More pics are expected