The Poultry Keeper

princesspam · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Derbyshire

I have a chick which has just broke the top off the shell at bang on 21 days, will he be ok if i just leave him to hatch on his own?, should i put a little water on him?, I have an octagon 10 incubator and in the manual it says to increase humidity to 2 trays but i have had no luck with any of its own instructions, I went on the guidance of a friend and have had no water in ther at all throughout incubation and now have a successful fertility and growing rate, the air sac has been the right size on all eggs. should i add water now or do as my friend says and leave it without even though the chick has pipped? im used to hatching ducks!! HELP!

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Hiya

You should add some water to the tray's as this will help keep the membrane moist and easier for the chick to hatch,
don't put water onto the egg though

If it's a small hole, then it could be upto 24 hours till it hatches, but could hatch in 2 hours

Otherwise, he will probably be ok to hatch all on his own

Is he cheeping at you yet?

How many others have you got in there?

All the best
George

princesspam · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Derbyshire

Hi,
Thanks alot, it was a smallish hole so i just took away the excess so he could breathe better, lll add a little water. He is the only one unfortunatly as my others werent fertile. its a gold laced orpington. I have the jubillee orpingtons in another incubator.
ill let you know how he goes on, thanks for your help
:0)

princesspam · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Derbyshire

Oh, and he was cheeping just before he pipped the hole, now he is just moving every now and then. he seems fine though i just needed a bit of advice, thanks again!

princesspam · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Derbyshire

There are two small air holes at the end of the incubator, one has been closed during the incubation period, should i open them both now?, the booklet says i should but I get different answers from different sources!

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Hi

Mine have often gone very quiet for ages after they first pip., when you see the egg start rocking a lot then they are about ready to hatch,

No idea about the holes in the Octagon 10 though as I don't have that one

shame about the other eggs, but hopefully he'll have the company of the Jubilee's soon

Laughing

princesspam · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Derbyshire

Hey guys, just t let you know that the little chick died about half an hour ago Sad

im not having much luck with chickens, im trying my best though. Im gutted, I need to be a mum!
thanks for all your help anyway it was much appreciated.

debcat · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:26 pm Post subject:

sorry about your chick, Sad

it's really gutting when that happens
Hope you have better luck soon

princesspam · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Derbyshire

thanks alot, it is gutting im not having much luck this summer! the yolk sac wasnt fully absorbed, it started to hatch at 21 das but it didnt seem as if any of the sac was absorbed, does anyone know why. Is it a temperature problem?

debcat · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:46 pm Post subject:

I've heard alot of people say they haven't had much luck this year, not sure why though.
I had 2 hatch with partially absorbed yolk sacs, 1 made it and the other didn't. The one that did took ages to get going and was really touch and go.

Knobby · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:58 pm Post subject:

Sorry to hear about your chick.....Keep your chin up, & dont give up....it'll be worth it in the end ! Smile

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

I'm really sorry about your chick, Crying or Very sad

but I'm also a little confused, if he had only pipped around 2:30 -ish how did he die by 6:30?

You weren't trying to help him out were you? With chicks, most of mine have pipped and then gone really quiet for well over 12 hours (I guess because, it takes a lot of energy to make the first hole and they are also trying to reposition themselves ready to hatch)

It's much better to leave them too it after they have pipped, even though it seems like nothing is happening, I know it's worrying but it is the best thing to do

jaydee67 · Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:54 am Post subject:

Some people do 'dry' incubate with no water to 18 days, but you should have water from at least 18 days to help keep the membranes moist when the chicks are hatching. The incubator should be kept closed during the hatching period - I know it is tempting to try to help - but they can take 24 hours to hatch from first pip. The pip is really just them trying things out. When they are really ready they can hatch quite quickly.

Chicks hatching raises the humidity and they encourage the otehrs out by playing egg football and cheeping at them.You are supposed to keep them in the incubator for up to 24 hours after hatching so as not to disturb the others hatching - but most folks I know will quickly take out a chick once it has dried off so they can see it better if they are honest!

Good luck with your jubilees!