[FiB]

..and I thought pigs were time wasters!!!    I have been watching a hole in an egg (and little movements behind it) for HOURS on and off now!!!!  When will they hatch???!!!!!  On humidity thread there were tales of 'helping them out' as a last resort - I'm pretty sure we're no where near that point, but how long do hens eggs typically take from first chip to emergance?  Humidity is only 60% rather than the recommended 65%  (both wells in Octagon 20 full and card and kitchen roll dipped in to increase surface area) but I feel I darent take lid off at this stage.  Thats the trouble with having digital numbers - if I'd bought the other model Id be none the wiser and not worrying!

[in the hills]

It often does take hours!!!!!  How long ago did it pip? Have many eggs pipped yet?

Dont be in a rush to help out. You musnt do it til they are ready   

[FiB]

First pip at 10 this morning - and that one has not progressed much and 4/20 have made cracks/holes so far.  I imagined that they would all hatch on day 21, but nature isnt like that is it!!  I was beside myself this morning but I'm exhausted now after a day of feeling like that!  I feel like I'M giving birth!! 

[in the hills]

Okay .... I reckon plenty of time. Dont go in there with the tweezers just yet cause its not pretty if you go in to soon 

Keep watching because just when you go for your dinner, it will pop out in no time at all. 

Yeah, I said to my sheepy mentor that our first lambing season was more exhausting than actually giving birth myself.   

[dixie]

Took me a while I thought the pig laid an egg lol! I must be tired 

[FiB]

Yeay!  First bedragled but noisy little chick!  In for a night of cheeping with any luck (why did I put the inci in the kitchen which is next to our bedrooms? )  Thanks for reassurance all (as ever) Photos tomorrow

[Mammyshaz]

   look forward to some piccies.

[little blue]

congratulations
It can take ages, and its not easy if you're not so patient, like me!

We have a little chick hatched today under a broody .. and according to my diary they were "due" yesterday - which just shows who actually know best!   Hoping for more, and turkeys at the weekend (now who's excited!)

[FiB]

Well, still only 3 but heres some clips if you have a coffe and 5 mins to spare (I think you can fast forward!!).  One is busy chipping out another nearly out and another 6 with one chip - I never thought it would be so spread out!  Anyway, son beside himself as you will hear!!!!
https://picasaweb.google.com/112885985608434555855/20091210?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ6prp-NsMr8Rw#5743843416528337954
 

[little blue]

Fab FiB!

[FiB]

Well I feel very fortunate - 14 hatched out of 20 and all lovely.  Masively long hatch time though 60 hours from first pip to last (i think) hatch.  We have 5 black chicks and 9 yellow - does that mean anything (hens/cockrels or indicator of feather colour?) They are light sussex I think (eggs from a friend whos flock are mostly light sussex).
Day 23 today I think.
There are 6 eggs left in incubator (still on) should I crack them in any special careful way(in case there is a viable chick inside)  to have a look or do poeple not bother (assuming they are rotten/duds)?
Thanks for all advice, lovely to have a living room full of peeping!!
 

[little blue]

congratulations!

what breed is their cockerel?
pure LS chicks will be yellow ... but so will male chicks of an LS crossed with a red type cockerel

I'd leave the others in another couple of days ... then I always open them to check for fertility (do it outside!) but thats because I don't candle them.

[Padge]

    children are priceless    we too have chicks hatching right now and OH can't keep his nose off incubator window 
 
Well done

[suziequeue]

Awwww - that's lovely. How many children get to se that nowadays....