Struggling to Zip?

[stopsines]

This one pipped nearly 20 hours ago. Continues to make this circle bigger. Is this an indication that it is having a hard time zipping?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

As long as you can see its beak and if it is clicking its beak it is probably fine. Keep a close eye. I usually intervene if it has been more than 24 hours without any real progress since the initial pip. Read up on these if you need more info and be ready just in case you have to step in.

Guide to Assisted Hatching for All Poultry | BackYard ...​

and/or this:

Step by Step Guide to ASSISTED Hatching | BackYard ...​

 

[stopsines]

As long as you can see its beak and if it is clicking its beak it is probably fine. Keep a close eye. I usually intervene if it has been more than 24 hours without any real progress since the initial pip. Read up on these if you need more info and be ready just in case you have to step in.

Guide to Assisted Hatching for All Poultry | BackYard ...​

and/or this:

Step by Step Guide to ASSISTED Hatching | BackYard ...​

One of the articles you linked says if it’s started zipping and hasn’t finished in an hour it probably needs help. Does the size of this hole indicate it has already begun the zip? If so that would mean it’s been stuck for awhile unable to zip further, correct?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Well you can try opening the egg up a bit. Be super careful of the veins as the articles note. When I have to assist, I do it under a heat lamp over a hot, damp towel to keep the humidity up. Some people turn the shower on in their bathrooms and do it there.
At the point your egg is, I would gently peel away some of the shell, not the membrane, along the zipline, extending the line just a little. Photo of a partial assist I did a few days ago. This little one had pipped, but was making no progress. I opened it up just a bit. Stopped when I ran into some veins and placed her back into the incubator. She hatched on her own without further assistance about 6 hours later.

 

[stopsines]

Well you can try opening the egg up a bit. Be super careful of the veins as the articles note. When I have to assist, I do it under a heat lamp over a hot, damp towel to keep the humidity up. Some people turn the shower on in their bathrooms and do it there.
At the point your egg is, I would gently peel away some of the shell, not the membrane, along the zipline, extending the line just a little. Photo of a partial assist I did a few days ago. This little one had pipped, but was making no progress. I opened it up just a bit. Stopped when I ran into some veins and placed her back into the incubator. She hatched on her own without further assistance about 6 hours later.View attachment 2540530

Excellent advice. Thanks!

 

[stopsines]

Well you can try opening the egg up a bit. Be super careful of the veins as the articles note. When I have to assist, I do it under a heat lamp over a hot, damp towel to keep the humidity up. Some people turn the shower on in their bathrooms and do it there.
At the point your egg is, I would gently peel away some of the shell, not the membrane, along the zipline, extending the line just a little. Photo of a partial assist I did a few days ago. This little one had pipped, but was making no progress. I opened it up just a bit. Stopped when I ran into some veins and placed her back into the incubator. She hatched on her own without further assistance about 6 hours later.View attachment 2540530

Out of an abundance of caution im clarifying again. Here’s an update of the chicks progress. Does it appear to need help? I’d prefer not to assist if I can help it.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Out of an abundance of caution im clarifying again. Here’s an update of the chicks progress. Does it appear to need help? I’d prefer not to assist if I can help it.

Looks like it is making some progress compared to prior photo. I would hold out a bit longer. I do expect a photo of this chick when it hatches!

 

[MissMonty]

I had two that did this. I ended up helping them because it had been so long AND I noticed they seemed to spin around and I stopped seeing their beaks for a while. I didn't want them to suffocate.

I also have had many that did zip on their own after looking like this just fine. If you can still see beak I wouldn't worry

 

[stopsines]

Looks like it is making some progress compared to prior photo. I would hold out a bit longer. I do expect a photo of this chick when it hatches!

Will do!

 

[stopsines]

Looks like it is making some progress compared to prior photo. I would hold out a bit longer. I do expect a photo of this chick when it hatches!

Chick is turning but not cracking. I’ve removed some of the egg. Her beak is under that darker area on the left. Should I keep going?