[Marshlady]

Pardon me if this is a silly question but... I have my first batch of chicken eggs starting to hatch in the incubator. How long should it take from the chick first cracking the shell to it getting out? I imagined it would be relatively quick but there are several that had cracks last night that have still made little more progress 11 hours later. They are still pipping and the eggs are wobbling. Also is there ever a place for 'helping' the chick by enlarging the crack or hole that it has already made?

[jameslindsay]

I have only hatched duck and geese eggs but they can take well over 24 hours from the first signs of a crack. If you see the eggs wobbling then all is well and the chick is alive, it is always tempting to get in there and help them out but you should only do that once you think the chick is in trouble. It is a game of patience I'm afraid. Having said all that I do have 6 of my hen eggs in the incubator so in a few weeks time I hopefully shall be as anxious as you. Good luck and remember the photo's.