Very low humidity during lockdown

[adam1993]

So its our first time hatching quails and lockdown started on monday, last night 11pm GMT we had noticed some pipping & zipping from one of the eggs and can see clear movement. However it turns out that our hygrometer was displaying an incorrect humidity and on further inspection it looks like the humidity for the lockdown period has been as low as 20%. We've rectified this now however we aren't sure how this is going to affect all of the eggs in the incubator, including the one that has already started hatching. I'm looking for any advice that can be given on this current situation. I've attached a picture of the egg thats currently hatching, it's been at least 9 hours 30 minutes since we first saw the shell had been partially opened
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[LynnaePB]

So its our first time hatching quails and lockdown started on monday, last night 11pm GMT we had noticed some pipping & zipping from one of the eggs and can see clear movement. However it turns out that our hygrometer was displaying an incorrect humidity and on further inspection it looks like the humidity for the lockdown period has been as low as 20%. We've rectified this now however we aren't sure how this is going to affect all of the eggs in the incubator, including the one that has already started hatching. I'm looking for any advice that can be given on this current situation. I've attached a picture of the egg thats currently hatching, it's been at least 9 hours 30 minutes since we first saw the shell had been partially opened
.View attachment 2306499

The shell has been like pictured for 9 hours and 30 minutes?

It looks like the chick may have gotten stuck in a zip to me, the lower humidity definitely could have influenced this.

If the chick has indeed started zipping it should be safe to help it. I would very carefully start chipping away shell along the zip line watching carefully to make sure there isn't any bleeding. If there is gently and quickly stop it with a paper towel and give the little one more time. If there is not then help the baby completely zip. You can let it push the top off on its own or remove the top once you've helped with the zip. It is best not to remove it completely from the shell just in case it is still working on absorbing any yolk.

Be prepared for a very worn out chick. It usually takes them less than 2 hours to zip so if it's been stuck for over 9 hours it may be very weak.

Opening the incubator quickly to remove the one egg to assist shouldn't cause shrink wrap to the other chicks. The lower humidity they experienced earlier may or may not have though.

This is a really good article on assisting that may come in handy.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

Good luck!

 

[Fenrisulfr]

First, welcome to BYC.

Is there any visible movement from the chick?

 

[adam1993]

First, welcome to BYC.

Is there any visible movement from the chick?

There is movement inside

 

[adam1993]

The shell has been like pictured for 9 hours and 30 minutes?

It looks like the chick may have gotten stuck in a zip to me, the lower humidity definitely could have influenced this.

If the chick has indeed started zipping it should be safe to help it. I would very carefully start chipping away shell along the zip line watching carefully to make sure there isn't any bleeding. If there is gently and quickly stop it with a paper towel and give the little one more time. If there is not then help the baby completely zip. You can let it push the top off on its own or remove the top once you've helped with the zip. It is best not to remove it completely from the shell just in case it is still working on absorbing any yolk.

Be prepared for a very worn out chick. It usually takes them less than 2 hours to zip so if it's been stuck for over 9 hours it may be very weak.

Opening the incubator quickly to remove the one egg to assist shouldn't cause shrink wrap to the other chicks. The lower humidity they experienced earlier may or may not have though.

This is a really good article on assisting that may come in handy.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply, yeah it has more or less looked like this for the last 9 hours, i'll take a look at the article.

 

[Fenrisulfr]

I would still give it some time. Sometimes they take a break.
I had pip, zipp, to hatch periodes of 24h.

But the low humidity is a problem... should be at least 50%.

What incubator are you using?
20% sounds unreal for any incubator, if it doesn't run dry.

 

[JaeG]

The membrane looks a little yellow. If it starts to turn brown you can apply some coconut oil (or similar) to the membrane with a q-tip to keep it supple. Just avoid getting any on the chick especially it's beak. If you can see its beak is it still gulping/yawning every now and then? That means it is still absorbing the yolk and not ready to hatch yet.

 

[Quailobsessed]

This happened to two of my chicks. They started hatching late afternoon, but made no progress by evening. I wanted to leave them to see if they would hatch themselves, but early the next morning, they still hadn't come out. I helped both of them finish unzipping and they hatched fine. They're now close to five weeks old and they are very happy and healthy. I hope yours will make it too

 

[adam1993]

Thank you everyone for the replies, we had left the incubator a little longer and there was a lot more movement, still couldn’t get out. We gave it a little bit of help (given the humidity circumstances). It hatched at 4pm and is looking healthy and well. With such low humidity I never expected the hatch

 

[LynnaePB]

Thank you everyone for the replies, we had left the incubator a little longer and there was a lot more movement, still couldn’t get out. We gave it a little bit of help (given the humidity circumstances). It hatched at 4pm and is looking healthy and well. With such low humidity I never expected the hatch

Congratulations! I'm so glad it is doing well! Sometimes they just need that little bit of help especially if conditions were working against them.