Should I Help or Not?

[Msbear]

I've had some eggs under broodies at my Dad's house and a hen bailed from the nest. We think she's been off all day leaving the remaining eggs cold and the membranes drying Im sure. There was no peeping on the way home in the car. I was warming them in my hands (about 20 min. dr.) and finally heard a couple faint peeps when we pulled in the drive.

I popped them in my bator and cranked up the humidity in an attempt to re-hydrate the membranes. Would you open them? or do you think they're better off in the bator?

 

[Mrs. Glassman]

I may zip them, if they have already peeped.

I read in here ( I forget who the OP was) that you could place an egg in a cup of warm water (as close to the temp of the egg as possible) for a moment. If they are still alive, the egg will move or bobble. Only leave them in there a few seconds though!!

Good luck!! Please let us know how it turns out.

 

[Kennyog]

This is my opinion.Do not open them. Leave them in the bator and let nature run it course.Most of the time if you have to give them help to hatch, it doesn't turn out for the better.There has been times that i helped with good results,but not many.Good luck.

 

[Msbear]

Quote:
The problem with that theory is nature has nothing to do with this once an incubator comes into play

Im all for the natural way but I'd rather help if they would have a better chance

 

[tnlorprazer]

I don't have the answer, but wanted to post that I'm

for you and the babies...

 

[Msbear]

Well, I am just going to let them ride. I've helped before with mixed results... and was thinking this may be "one of those times" but I am about ready to throw up right now.

I helped some earlier this morning when the other broody abandoned leaving the nest (I had two going) and all three were fine in the bator. When I came home from running some errands, two were dead but the other was up and peeping. Now, I had these other eggs that needed to hatch, so I took that peep out and put it under a broody cochin I have. She has only been sitting for a week but I thought she would just sleep with it under her. I just went to check and she had ripped it apart. ahhhhhhhh... I am so sick of chick raising. It has been such a roller coaster all spring