Helping chicks hatch.

Reedyman · **Posted:** Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:53 am

Is it ok to help chickens out of the shell? And how long before i should start hepling?

Peter16 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:13 am

Generally not a good idea unless you are very experienced, but after about 28-30 hours (since pip) i think would be okay, otherwise the chick would probably die anyway,
Others will have more to add to that.....

joc1 · **Joined:** Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:31 pm **Posts:** 35

Reedyman,

A touchy subject.

Some say no, and I tend to agree, up to a certain point.

If the eggs are mine, then I dont help as I know where they came from, how they were treated etc.

If the eggs were posted to you, then it is up to you if you help or not.

Posted eggs can recieve some harsh treatment that can break the "tendrils" that hold the yolk fast within the albumin. This means the yolk can rotate and the chick can develop upside down ie the head is at the pointy end of the egg. In these situations, there is a fair chance the chick wont hatch as its head cant move to crack the shell and it definitely wont be able to rotate to open the lid (so to speak) also the air sac that supplies the required air for the chick to breath is still at the other end of the egg.

If you do decide to help, then you must do it slowly, working around the initial pip hole made by the chick and only enlarge the hole as the membrane below it dries out. There are still capilliaries carrying blood in the membrane, tear it to early, and the chick will die. It may take over 24 hours to successfully free the chick.

I wouldnt even start till it is fairly obvious there is a problem and if you see the pipping hole at the pointy end, then there is a problem right from the get go and you will need to watch it.

It all depends on how much you need the chick.

J

County Lodge · **Posted:** Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:53 am

I agree with jocler1.

I would not help the chick out of the egg. I feel if the chick can't make it out of the shell it was not meant to be and I think you will only have on going problems with the chick and it will probably die later or you will have to put it to sleep which is worse I feel.

pjh · **Posted:** Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:48 am

agree with cl and jocler

have helped chicks out in the past, they often didn't survive, or if they did they were smaller , weaker and either get sick or otherwise end up being culled----so now if they can't make it alone, it is natural selection, only the strong survive

cheers pam

Jeff Trescott · **Posted:** Fri Apr 11, 2008 6:11 pm

Agree with all. I have also done it but they didn't survive. best let nature take it's course.

Jeff

Egglive · **Joined:** Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:58 am **Posts:** 267

Yep, I also concur. Perhaps one exception, and that's if I know there's a problem with low humidity and they've dried out over a long time. For example if they pip, then haven't hatched 48 hrs later and I can see that the membrane is all stuck on the down and they aren't able to move. Then I spray, leave for ten mins, then gentled prise away the sticky stuff, give another spray, then put back into incubator to see if they can do the major break out by themselves. Some may disagree, and in most cases I would agree with them. Most that get help die, so a policy of no interference isn't a bad one really.

Reedyman · **Posted:** Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:02 pm

Thanks all. Your advice was very helpful. Great response.

bunyanuternie · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:31 pm **Posts:** 2903

Hi Reedy , Hows things , I agree with all of the above and the best Hatches I have had is when I'm away and Rachel is in Charge ( I can't help myself) although after saying that their are the exceptions , I have some very healthy Peachicks and chicks running around that definately wouldn't be here without my help

Peacocks Australia · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2002 9:14 am **Posts:** 310755

We agree with Ian, Generally assisted chicks will not survive because it's all about timing and that’s the hard part. There will always be the exceptions and really it's up to the individual breeder and how important the eggs are and their confidence levels.

Thanks
P.A :lol:

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