Newly hatched chicks eating egg shells

[tienkieb]

I'm hatching my first eggs. It's been close to 24 hours since the last chick hatched and I have one still pipped, so my chicks are still in the incubator. It looks like some of them are pecking at the egg shells. I really don't want to open the bator since I might have one more hatching... is it ok for newly hatched chicks to eat egg shells? Appreciate any advice for this newby. Thanks in advance!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Once chicks are dry and active, they start to get a bit "antsy" and will do things like peck at empty shells. It's likely hardwired into precocial birds so that they're ready to find food.

I don't think they actually end up eating much (if any) and I've never had a problem due to it. It just sounds like they're ready to start eating, so will no doubt be happy when you move them to the brooder so they can eat, drink, and scratch.

Congratulations on your chicks!

 

[tienkieb]

Once chicks are dry and active, they start to get a bit "antsy" and will do things like peck at empty shells. It's likely hardwired into precocial birds so that they're ready to find food.

I don't think they actually end up eating much (if any) and I've never had a problem due to it. It just sounds like they're ready to start eating, so will no doubt be happy when you move them to the brooder so they can eat, drink, and scratch.

Congratulations on your chicks!

Thank you! I have one more holdout that I'm hoping with hatch today. It is pipped and there is a significant hole in the shell. But, progress is slow. I am terrified to open the incubator and risk it!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

I'm generally in agreement with the idea that an incubator should only be opened during a hatch when necessary, but it's not an edict. And if you're running a circulated air incubator, it should be fairly easy to get the humidity back up to optimal levels after opening it.

In cases where a hatchling needs assistance, for example, the egg has to be taken out of the incubator. I try to do it as quickly and carefully as possible, and add a little warm water to the water channels afterward help the humidity come back up to the pre-opening level. Spraying warm water from a mister into the incubator works, too, but I don't usually do that because I don't want water to get into external pips.

Again, not advocating opening the incubator repeatedly or just for kicks...but I think the shrinkwrapping risk may be somewhat overemphasized.

Waterfowl are slow to hatch, compared to other poultry, so patience is important. It sounds like your last duckling is working on joining the others!