should I help or not

[Billy7871]

I have eggs that were due to hatch today. 6 have hatched so far starting yesterday morning and the last of the 6 this morning. I have 6 eggs remaining that have not pipped. When I candled I saw chickens moving on day 18 in all of the 12 eggs that I had. Should I crack them open?

 

[ShrekDawg]

I dont know maybe or just wait and see I am not too sure. maybe they are duds? although you said you saw movement so idk. I would maybe wait and see for a while and see what happens then if nothing happens for a while and it is REALLY nessecary then as a LAST RESORT ONLY maybe help. they may have died or they may just be late hatchers so I would just wait and see before you intervene because if they dont need help you may just cause more harm than good if they are not yet ready to hatch yet so I would just wait and see, maybe they will hatch later or maybe they wont who knows. so to be safe I would just play the waiting game for a while cause you don't wanna risk it

 

[Billy7871]

How long do I wait few hours or a day or what? I am sorry but this is my first hatch. I dont know a lot about it.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I don't really know that much either. But I would say probably a few hours at minimum a day or maybe even 2 at most.

 

[ShrekDawg]

good luck

 

[ShrekDawg]

I would say if nothing happens withen 24-48 hours then its probably safe to intervene and/or to assume they are dead/not gonna hatch. some chicks are just slower but if nothing happens within a few days then you know somethings probably wrong and you can try to intervene. good luck. sometimes it can take hours, sometimes evens days for all to hatch I think so wait a few days see what happens, then intervene. good luck

 

[Billy7871]

Ok one just pipped, I guess I just didn't give enough time. Like I said I am new and don't know how long the process takes.

 

[shay20]

Just let them be. Dont touch them, it sounds that they are do now, it can take 24 hours for the chick to come out.
Good luck, and keep us updated.

 

[FenDruadin]

Don't interfere! If they are not pipped, you will kill them by trying to help--breaking the membrane before they are ready will cause them to bleed to death, because their blood is still in the veins throughout the membrane.

The only time you can help successfully is if they have already pipped internally and have made a crack in the outer shell. Even then, you will usually do way more harm than good.

I had ducks pip internally THREE DAYS before they pipped externally, and they did just fine.

IF you end up with one or two who have created a hole (not just a crack, but a HOLE), but then make absolutely no progress for 12 hours or more, then you MAY want to help.

But right now, it sounds like you've just got some late hatchers. Sit on your hands and wait, hard as that is.

Good luck.

 

[Kennyog]

NOT.It's better to let nature take it's course.