What do i do??? First hatch, need advice please!

PamB

Songster
9 Years
Jul 20, 2010
1,704
6
151
Dayville, CT
I had a pip about 24 hours ago. There wasn't too much progress since. However, now we hear peeping and there is a lot of movement going on. Do I need to intervene since it has been so long? Won't that harm the other two eggs in the bator (they haven't pipped yet). Tonight will be day 21. This little guy pipped early. I don't know if it is normal for a chick to take this long! I'm worried. It is a silkie, if that means anything. Thanks!!

ETA: This is the egg, not sure if it is clear, but the membrane has a decent sized crack/hole in it that the chick has been working on.

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I had a silkie egg pip and wait 36 hrs before doing any zipping. If you have had good humidity, and have not opened the bator I would think it should be ok, and just taking her sweet ole time zipping. I stopped opening the bator after a bad hatch and have since then gotten 2 100%. Every hatch/incubaotor/operator/eggs are different though.
 
I haven't had any humidity problems. Yes, this chick sure is taking its sweet time! Making me a bit crazy! LOL. Lots of peeping this morning and pushing the membrane up and down. The opening in the membrane is a decent slit that seems to slowly getting larger as the chick works on it. Most people said 24 hours at most, so I started getting nervous.
 
Pam I feel your pain. I have started setting eggs after bedtime for this reason. I had the one wait 36 hrs but I also feel by opening the bator or even trying to help before it is absoutly necessary does more harm than good. If they can live in the bator 3 days without food or water you know she/he will not starve to death or dehydrate. I know it stinks just watching and will make one awful antsy. Next time stay up an hour late and then set the eggs, and 21 days later wake up to a bator full. Sorry wish I was there to keep you company.
 
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Haha...oh, I haven't stopped talking to it and my daughter has been making chicken noises all morning. LOL. I just told her that the chick probably just thinks we are annoying and would rather stay in the egg than deal with us! Haha.



I'd like to try that nighttime setting thing, but Day 21 doesn't start until 6:00 pm tonight! So, this chick is early!
 
Pam~

First of all....CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Second......Hands Off that 'bator!!! Give it more time...my last hatch ended on Dec. 12th, day 27 can you believe that? I agree with Splendidsilkies and have had chicks take 36-48 hours from pip to hatch. If they have made it pretty far into zip by this time and I notice they stop then sometimes I will help them, but normally, I just do not help them out. I'm the type that wants chicks to do it on their own and sometimes bless their little hearts they just aren't meant to make it. If you find you need to help....just go slow and careful and get back on here and have the fabulous folks here on BYC walk right next to you for support and guidance if you need it. They're tougher little buggers than we think.
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Third......Best of luck with your hatch!
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Ooooo, congrats on a pip!!! It is sooooooooooooooooooooo hard to wait! I have the same bator you do and I'm only on day 3, but want to candle already! I'm going to be a wreck when lockdown comes. Good luck baby silkie!!
 

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