[Kier]

Just came down stairs about 10 mins ago and found one of the eggs had pipped throughout the night,I havent seen any movement or heard anything whilst i been down here tho.Should i be worried?

[jameslindsay]

It is probably exhausted from all that work and having a sleep. Everything should be ok, give it time.

[Kier]

ok thanks james,I can understand it must be bloody hard work cracking out of that thing.After what sort of time should i be worried??

[jameslindsay]

I have only hatched ducks and geese and they say it can take over 24 hours for them to break free. If you think it is strggeling help it a wee bit, I know the temptation is always to get them out asap but relax and enjoy the experience. You should hear noise and see movement soon to let you know all is well. Good luck.

[Sharondp]

Ours started pipping on Sunday morning and hatched from 3pm Monday - 11am Tuesday. It takes a while!

[Roxy]

Just keep an eye on the pipped egg, as some of the chicks are a little weaker and cannot make the final effort to emerge, but usually they eat the last of the egg, and its enough to get them the energy to come out.  I am sure the chick will be fine.  I tend not to interfere, as sometimes you can do more damage.  Can you hear any cheeping?

[Kier]

Thanks for the replies guys,I just looked at the incubator and i can hear cheeping from inside the egg now which is an improvement on asmorning when there was silence.Appears to be no more development on the hole made,We raised the humidity to around 50% for today is this about right?i was always told to increase humidity for hatch day?

[jameslindsay]

Kier, where abouts are you as in Scotland we don't need to add water?

[Kier]

I'm in shoreham by sea,About 5 miles west of Brighton.The incubator is self contained and the humidity was 45% over the incubation period and i;ve raised it to 50%.Its done automatically,and read i should raise it.Is this wrong???

[jameslindsay]

I would say follow the instructions and you should be fine.

[Kier]

i followed the instructions with last years appleyards and had some sucess but with chickens it may be different and i'm always open to ideas/opinions on the matter.I'll post photographs as soon as they hatch,although i'm beginning to think that maybe i should of gone into uni today to get on with my work as these eggs have got my attention at the moment lol

[jameslindsay]

I know that feeling, have fun.

[Sharondp]

I didn't get a thing done Monday & Tuesday!  

The humidity should be about 65% now.

[Kier]

ok will increase the humidity now,A second egg just pipped! getting proper excited now!