2 of 12 Chicks hatched. They are disturbing all the other eggs, should I remove now or wait?

[catdiva6]

I have a small 12 egg incubator so eggs are very close together. 2 hatched in the last hour and one climbing over all of the other eggs as it runs around. Will this distort the others sense of direction and decrease chance of successful hatch? Should I remove them now or how long should I wait?

 

[GodLovesU]

Are any other eggs pipping?How long ago did the chicks hatch?Is your brooder ready for the chicks?

 

[Slothinc]

I usually pull them out after an hour or so. If you do it very quickly so that the moisture level in the incubator doesn’t drop drastically it will be fine! Just make sure you have the brooder ready and a good heat source for them.

Edited to add that I always make sure that there isn’t a chick in the process of zipping when I open the incubator.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Will this distort the others sense of direction and decrease chance of successful hatch? Should I remove them now or how long should I wait?

It's never caused an issue for my hatches.. though it seems quite disturbing.

One way to reduce the activity and "soccer ball" experience is by keeping it dark. Light increases activity.

If deciding to remove them, it's best to do so very quickly reducing the amount of time the lid is open, and also not recommended until they are fully dried and fluffy.
Congratulations and happy hatching!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have a small 12 egg incubator so eggs are very close together. 2 hatched in the last hour and one climbing over all of the other eggs as it runs around. Will this distort the others sense of direction and decrease chance of successful hatch? Should I remove them now or how long should I wait?

Some people are so concerned about this that they trim egg cartons to remove most of the material and go into lockdown with the narrow end down. I don't, I lay my eggs down.

Before they hatch they absorb the yolk. They can live off of that yolk for over 72 hours. They are not going to suffer from thirst or hunger so there is no immediate need to remove them because of that.

If you open the incubator during hatch you can let the moisture escape. Shrink-wrap is when the membrane around the chick dries out and shrinks around the chick so tightly that it cannot move to hatch. This does not happen that often even if you open the incubator and take your time. But it is a risk, it can and sometimes does happen. Many people on this forum open the incubator and remove chicks without a problem. It really doesn't happen that often. I remember one fabulous lady no longer active on here that removed chicks whenever she wanted to. She was also an expert on helping shrink-wrapped chicks hatch.

If I have an emergency in the incubator during hatch I will open it and handle the problem. I understand it is a risk so I don't do it lightly but I do if I feel the need is great enough. I hardly ever shrink-wrap a chick doing that. Over the years I've only had to help two shrink-wrapped chicks.

Personally I do not consider the first to hatch playing rugby with the other eggs to be worth opening the incubator. I have not seen where that has directly affected the hatch but with living animals anything is possible.

If it bothers you that much then go for it. You will have plenty of support and probably be OK. But you might want to do a search on how to assist a chick to hatch on this forum.

Good luck!

 

[catdiva6]

Some people are so concerned about this that they trim egg cartons to remove most of the material and go into lockdown with the narrow end down. I don't, I lay my eggs down.

Before they hatch they absorb the yolk. They can live off of that yolk for over 72 hours. They are not going to suffer from thirst or hunger so there is no immediate need to remove them because of that.

If you open the incubator during hatch you can let the moisture escape. Shrink-wrap is when the membrane around the chick dries out and shrinks around the chick so tightly that it cannot move to hatch. This does not happen that often even if you open the incubator and take your time. But it is a risk, it can and sometimes does happen. Many people on this forum open the incubator and remove chicks without a problem. It really doesn't happen that often. I remember one fabulous lady no longer active on here that removed chicks whenever she wanted to. She was also an expert on helping shrink-wrapped chicks hatch.

If I have an emergency in the incubator during hatch I will open it and handle the problem. I understand it is a risk so I don't do it lightly but I do if I feel the need is great enough. I hardly ever shrink-wrap a chick doing that. Over the years I've only had to help two shrink-wrapped chicks.

Personally I do not consider the first to hatch playing rugby with the other eggs to be worth opening the incubator. I have not seen where that has directly affected the hatch but with living animals anything is possible.

If it bothers you that much then go for it. You will have plenty of support and probably be OK. But you might want to do a search on how to assist a chick to hatch on this forum.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for responding. I truly appreciate it. Sorry for my late reply. I got caught up in Christmas and all of my new chicks. Opening the incubator seemed to have no effect. 11 of the 12 eggs hatched. All happy and healthy!

 

[catdiva6]

It's never caused an issue for my hatches.. though it seems quite disturbing.

One way to reduce the activity and "soccer ball" experience is by keeping it dark. Light increases activity.

If deciding to remove them, it's best to do so very quickly reducing the amount of time the lid is open, and also not recommended until they are fully dried and fluffy.
Congratulations and happy hatching!

Thank you! It was quite a happy hatching....11 of the 12 hatched!

 

[catdiva6]

I usually pull them out after an hour or so. If you do it very quickly so that the moisture level in the incubator doesn’t drop drastically it will be fine! Just make sure you have the brooder ready and a good heat source for them.

Edited to add that I always make sure that there isn’t a chick in the process of zipping when I open the incubator.

Thank you, hatching was a success!

 

[catdiva6]

Are any other eggs pipping?How long ago did the chicks hatch?Is your brooder ready for the chicks?

Sorry for the late response, but yes, all but one have hatched!

 

[Daisy June]

Thank you so much for responding. I truly appreciate it. Sorry for my late reply. I got caught up in Christmas and all of my new chicks. Opening the incubator seemed to have no effect. 11 of the 12 eggs hatched. All happy and healthy!

Wow! That's great.