Too Early for Feb Hatch-A-Long Thread??

[CluckNDoodle]

You know how I posted and said I was planning on doing some assisted hatching earlier (thanks everyone for the advice, by the way)? Well anyway, more on that now.

The chick has zipped around about a quarter of the egg, but like I said, hasn't made any progress for a couple of days. The membrane was completely dry, so we wrapped the egg in a wet towel and are leaving it in the incubator for a half hour or so (still waiting). But before we put it back I tried to help it zip a bit. Maybe it was because the membrane was dry, but I couldn't tell which was the shell and which was the membrane. After clipping away a little bit at the shell and getting some membrane too we gave him and put it in the 'bator.

Is this just because the membrane was dry or is it always this hard? Is it okay if I accidentally clip away a bit of the membrane?

It sounds like the chick is just stuck from the membrane drying out. If it was unzipping that long ago I can't imagine it not being ready to come out. I'm actually surprised that it didn't pass after waiting a couple of days! What a little fighter!

 

[Mylied]

You know how I posted and said I was planning on doing some assisted hatching earlier (thanks everyone for the advice, by the way)? Well anyway, more on that now.

The chick has zipped around about a quarter of the egg, but like I said, hasn't made any progress for a couple of days. The membrane was completely dry, so we wrapped the egg in a wet towel and are leaving it in the incubator for a half hour or so (still waiting). But before we put it back I tried to help it zip a bit. Maybe it was because the membrane was dry, but I couldn't tell which was the shell and which was the membrane. After clipping away a little bit at the shell and getting some membrane too we gave him and put it in the 'bator.

Is this just because the membrane was dry or is it always this hard? Is it okay if I accidentally clip away a bit of the membrane?

If he started zipping a couple days ago, I'd get him out of the egg. The membrane can become "glued" on almost. See if you can pop the whole top off so he can push out, if he's not stuck to the membrane. There should be no blood vessels or yolk at this point. He's probably hungry and thirsty too.

 

[LilyD]

You know how I posted and said I was planning on doing some assisted hatching earlier (thanks everyone for the advice, by the way)? Well anyway, more on that now.

The chick has zipped around about a quarter of the egg, but like I said, hasn't made any progress for a couple of days. The membrane was completely dry, so we wrapped the egg in a wet towel and are leaving it in the incubator for a half hour or so (still waiting). But before we put it back I tried to help it zip a bit. Maybe it was because the membrane was dry, but I couldn't tell which was the shell and which was the membrane. After clipping away a little bit at the shell and getting some membrane too we gave him and put it in the 'bator.

Is this just because the membrane was dry or is it always this hard? Is it okay if I accidentally clip away a bit of the membrane?

It's fine as long as there are no blood vessels where you are clipping I sometimes will use a qtip with coconut oil on it to go under the membrane between it and the chick to help it unstick if it's started drying out.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Wow, thanks for the fast replies!

It sounds like the chick is just stuck from the membrane drying out. If it was unzipping that long ago I can't imagine it not being ready to come out. I'm actually surprised that it didn't pass after waiting a couple of days! What a little fighter!

Yes, he or she is a fighter! Maybe I shouldn't have (in case it dies) but I have already named it Valor, which stands for courage, strength, and determination. Also because he will (he must!) be born on Valentine's Day.

If he started zipping a couple days ago, I'd get him out of the egg. The membrane can become "glued" on almost. See if you can pop the whole top off so he can push out, if he's not stuck to the membrane. There should be no blood vessels or yolk at this point. He's probably hungry and thirsty too.

That makes sense, but if I help him out will be have the strength to survive? Just checking.

It's fine as long as there are no blood vessels where you are clipping I sometimes will use a qtip with coconut oil on it to go under the membrane between it and the chick to help it unstick if it's started drying out.

Thank you for the coconut oil trick. I will use it!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

That makes sense, but if I help him out will be have the strength to survive? Just checking.

This is one of those situations that it got stuck because of the membrane drying out, not due to poor genetics or any natural causes. It's stuck due to man made, dry incubator, causes, so hopefully if you're able to help it out reasonably quickly it should be just fine. Little one is probably going to be exhausted from that long fight but with a little tlc, water, and rest it should be just fine after it's out.

 

[LilyD]

Eggs are starting to rock. It's always hard to tell at the start because they don't rock hard lol. Sometimes I think I'm seeing things

 

[LilyD]

Wow, thanks for the fast replies!


Yes, he or she is a fighter! Maybe I shouldn't have (in case it dies) but I have already named it Valor, which stands for courage, strength, and determination. Also because he will (he must!) be born on Valentine's Day.


That makes sense, but if I help him out will be have the strength to survive? Just checking.


Thank you for the coconut oil trick. I will use it!

Yes he will definitely do okay even if you help. Sometimes due to using an incubator they can't hatch all the way which is our fault because we aren't really duck momma's. This is why I feel it's okay to help. If it was a natural hatch and they were having problems Momma duck or Chicken would help them too.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

I think that was one of my roos! I got a Meyer Meal Maker pack last year because I didn't have any chickens since I had to take a break from having them due to an illness, so I'm starting all over again as of last year. The issue I'm finding is the hens lay well but they don't have any width and depth in their body compared to the show quality roo I have. I have 3 hens and a roo and that's it right now. But looking to grow out 25-50 roos and about the same amount of pullets this year to choose from for next years breeders.

I find that with Orps if you want until around 25-30 weeks they tend to do well. They aren't as meaty as a CornishX but they are better than an egg breed bird. I also raise mine free range on the full acreage of my property so they free range a lot for their own food. They averaged around 2.5 to 5lbs at processing which was respectable for hatchery birds. This year I have an English Roo over hatchery hens and I'll keep the best of the best from those babies for adding back to the flock. It will take 10+ years I'm sure but I'm hoping for a 5-6 lbs table bird consistently and still keeping the laying at as close to 150-180 eggs a year as I can.

This was the pic of the orp I posted last fall.
View attachment 2026593

He was very respectable size around 5lbs. The orps in general averaged 3-5lbs. I was very pleased with them.

Yes, it probably was you! That's funny. I loved that post because you followed up on it regularly.

It sounds like you have a well thought out plan with clearly defined goals. That alone is an accomplishment. I'd love to keep tabs on this project. Do you have a thread started for it?

 

[LilyD]

Yes, it probably was you! That's funny. I loved that post because you followed up on it regularly.

It sounds like you have a well thought out plan with clearly defined goals. That alone is an accomplishment. I'd love to keep tabs on this project. Do you have a thread started for it?

I hadn't started one as of yet since last year I had Fry Pan's but plan to do it this year with the additions of the new babies we are hatching this spring/summer. I did start an article on my page but it's not very good lol, still very rough. As I start going through chicks and making my choices I will start up a thread so you can follow along

 

[PioneerChicks]

Thank you, @CluckNDoodle, @LilyD, and @Mylied! I'm giving it another go right now!