Yet another... does it need help... post

[Creteloc]

I'm on day 22 of incubation. 11 eggs were in the incubator and I have 6 chicks that are at or over 24 hours old. My concern is with one egg that's left over. I could never candle this egg because of how thick the shell is. It's a green EE shell and is too thick to see through with even a powerful flashlight. I honestly thought it was probably a yolker, but a pip appeared yesterday. It's an external only pip.

It's been 24 hours with no progress. I can't hear if there's chirping inside because I can't open the incubator. The thickness of this shell worries me. I'm fairly certain the other 4 eggs didn't make it because they have no pip or movement. This one though did pip, but isn't progressing.

How do you know when to help??

BTW, I've read and read and read today. I just keep reading varying opinions and one person is certain opening the incubator to check it won't hurt, while another swears that if I open the incubator the chick will be 'shrunk-wrapped' to the egg. Some say it's OK to help after 24 hours, while others say it's not. UGH. What do I do?

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I would open the incubator and examine the egg according to the rules of assisted hatching. If the chick really starts to shrink-wrap - well you're already assisting…
Good luck! And please don't forget to send picture of your new babies!

 

[Creteloc]

Thank you! With a little assistance, my beautiful chick is doing great! I broke a little shell and when she started kicking like crazy, I put her back and she finished hatching. I think she is a cross between an EE and a naked neck.

 

[fire370]

Thank you! With a little assistance, my beautiful chick is doing great! I broke a little shell and when she started kicking like crazy, I put her back and she finished hatching. I think she is a cross between an EE and a naked neck.

View attachment 1643145

That’s great!

 

[Creteloc]

7 out of the 11 have hatched but one little precious one passed after 12 hours and I can’t figure out why. Two eggs are still pipped.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Sorry to hear that, but sometimes it just happens for no obvious reason.
But i'm glad you could help your stuck chick hatch! She's really cute!
Please keep the pictures coming, we're all chick-addicts!

 

[Mimi13]

I’m gonna be in your shoes in another couple days. I’m definitely excited, but scared to death too!

 

[Creteloc]

I’m gonna be in your shoes in another couple days. I’m definitely excited, but scared to death too!

Good luck to you! It's so fun to watch. I've had 9 of the 11 hatch and one more is pipped. It's day 23.

 

[Mimi13]

Good luck to you! It's so fun to watch. I've had 9 of the 11 hatch and one more is pipped. It's day 23.

YAY!

 

[Creteloc]

My last little guy pipped this morning. A dime-sized shell chunk is missing. The membrane is yellow-brown. I see an occasional beak but no more progress. Do I help him too? It’s day 23.