To Help Or Not To Help

[2 britts]

This is day 20, second day of lock down. I just had one almost shoot out of the shell not long after it pipped. My concern is that there are 3 other ones that pipped earlier today, two just barely and the first one to pip has a small hole about 3/8" and has done nothing else. I can see it's beak and movement inside, also it's chirping but not as much as at first. This one pipped about 5:30 am.I know that there is nothing I should do but I'm afraid it might be getting weak and die in the shell. I also know that the strongest shall survive but I guess I'm getting soft as I get older. Any suggestions?

 

[muddyhorse]

it is not unusual for it to take 24 hours from the time they pip until they hatch. leave them alone , no touchie !!!!!!!!!!

 

[clarmayfarm]

I have helped them before, I know there are many people who disagree for various reasons.

If it has been more than 12-18 hr, it likely would not hurt to at least enlarge the hole at the pip and mist or lightly rub some warm water on the egg to prevent shrink wrapping. The danger of opening the egg too quickly is that the chick will have not taken the yolk in, so if you do help them, be aware of this and do not go too far too fast.

I have saved about 50-60% % of the chicks I have done this with, but there are always those who will not make it.