Upside down hatchers?

[Red&Yellow]

Hey all.

My first tim hatching, so there are many questions (this is about my third, I beleive

)

Two (thank God) have hatched, gorgeuos and feisty...About 4 or 5 more have pipped, but about 3 of those have pipped the wrong end!!!!
This wouldn't be a problem if I hadn't put them in a carton on lockdown...I'm SURE they're in pointy-down, but still they pipped near the pointy end!!!!!!!!!

Any suggestions or advice as to why/how they did that, if/when should I intervene (obviously if they really can't get out)....Would they have enough strength to push the big end over themselves?????

Please anybody comment, I am PERPLEXED

 

[CoopCrazy]

Hopefully someone has advice and they are doing ok .. Let me know how it went.

 

[Ban seabhag]

I had one like that and waited til she had cracked most of the egg. Because of her position she was pushing sideways and popped off a lot of shell but couldn't get her beak in position to tear the membrane. Of course with the membrane open to the air, it started to dry and shrink wrap her. I ended up cutting it myself a little at a time til she could get out. The "law of nature" and "survival of the fittest" is often just a matter of good luck or bad, so I figure a little help at the end might tip the scales. She was a really strong chick to do what she did to that shell, and proved to be so out of it. I'd just watch their progress and give them enough time to do it on their own if they can before stepping in.

 

[fishman65]

I have had several chicks die when they pipped and zipped on the pointy end. I used the carton method when all the deaths occured. I no longer "HATCH" in cartons and no longer have that problem. I do use cartons to incubate and i do use cartons to hatch quail, just not chickens. Lay them on there side and breath easy.

 

[IggiMom]

That's my theory, eggs were intended to hatch on their sides.

What is the advantage of the carton method? I there there must BE an advantage, as many people swear by it.

Catherine

 

[PandoraTaylor]

the advantage to carton hatching:
1) is the eggs are not rolled around by chicks that have hatched already (resulting in injuried or drowned piped chicks)
2) Clean up is a breeze


Disadvantages of carton hatching:
1) some chicks pip on wrong end
2) some chicks don't have the strength to get out of the carton after hatch


Personal choice.

 

[Red&Yellow]

Thanks all. All but one of the pipped-wrong-end have hatched, but I am worried about this one. She has been pipped for over 12 hours, possibly close to 24...It LOOKS like her membrane is still good and clear-ish, not white...How long do you rekon I should wait??? Oh, and I haven't seen her move for about 5 hours...Please any advice.

Oh, and next time I'll be doing it without cartons...I can see the advantage, but I think the disadvantage is bigger.