What is pip, lock down and other jargon?

[llrumsey]

I am really learning lot, even though I have had chickens for 5 years, I have just let them do their own thing, but now I'm going to go for it!! But I do need some help.

What is pip, people talk about the chicks pipping before they zip? Would someone please explain to mean the term that everyone is using? I would really appreciate it.

As I sit here at my computer I just heard peeping from my incubator, I didnt know that I had any that was do. I have tried to candle the eggs (that I do understand) but they are brown eggs so not much luck.

Can I try floating the eggs to see which ones are alive or is it to late since I heard the peep?

thanks so much LaNell

 

[clayb226]

A pip is the very first break through, as I understand it. I would not touch the eggs since they are making noises, if one has put just a little hole or crack in the shell, you may drown it if you put it in water.

 

[Mahonri]

I NEVER "float" eggs.

 

[jenlynn4]

pipping is when the bird cracks the shell with its beak...Zipping is when they start to hatch and go all the way around the shell makeing it so the top can come off...peep is the sound the chicks make...

 

[jenlynn4]

and I would NEVER float an egg either

 

[llrumsey]

thank you for the quick replys, I saw on another link that some use an ice chest when they have eggs hatching at different times, which do you put into the ice chest? the eggs that are hatching or the ones that still need time to go. Being financially deprived I have to do the best I can with what I have and I really like the idea of the ice chest. How do you regulate the temp?