should I pip my 23 day eggs

[philchirp]

it is now 23 days and there are lots of movements going on, but no pipping. I really want to help them out, but don't know what to do.

 

[thebanthams]

trying to help them might do damage, check your temps and hope it will hatch soon !

 

[Buiscuit]

Its prob not going to hatch. Just leave it alone and after day 24 throw it out or crack it open and see how far it was. Here is a paragraph from Virginia Techs' web site on incubating poultry it is good advice as I should have taken before i have helped chicks before as others want you to do. after helping the chicks were weak and didnt survive it was sad and will not do it again.

Hatch Time
Do not help the chicks from the shell at hatching time. If it doesn't hatch, there is usually a good reason.
Also, prematurely helping the chick hatch could cripple or infect the chick. Humidity is critical at
hatching time. Don't allow your curiosity to damage your hatch.
As soon as the chicks are dry and fluffy or 6 to 12 hours after hatching, remove the chicks from the
incubator. It is good practice to remove all the chicks at once and destroy any late hatching eggs.
Hatching time can be hereditary and you can control the uniformity of hatching by culling late hatchers.​

If you keep every chick which hatches late, in a few years each hatch could last 4 days or longer.

 

[MamaMarcy]

WOW..if the eggs are moving I would NOT suggest you throw it out or crack it open to see how far along it was

If you think moving has slowed/stopped you can float test the egg(s) to see if the chick inside is alive. Use a cup of WARM water, let the water come to a complete still, gently set egg in water and let it come to a complete rest then watch for any rocking of the egg. Make sure there's no pips first though. I would give it till day 25. If no PIP and it rocks in the float test, you can gently PIP the blunt end of the egg (air cell) and gently peck away shell until you can see the inner membrane and then with your finger apply a warm drop of water to moisten the membrane. any veins STOP. If you see the beak has PIPs the inner membrane, remove more shell over where the air space is and put back in incubator, make sure humidity is UP, and wait till the veins go away in the membrane (it can take many hours). Any bleeding STOP and try again a few hours later.

To PIP I use a sharp steak knife, and gently (drill) a tiny hole, then use blunt tweezers to chip away the shell over the air cell.

and, be warned that any interferance can have a huge negative impact on the chick.

 

[Buiscuit]

Not a good idea to try and pip the egg. leave it alone.

 

[MamaMarcy]

I think a gentle PIPing after day 25 is a much better idea than throwing it out or cracking it. Sorry, but JMO. at least a gentle post-day-25 PIP would give it a chance.

 

[hdowden]

i have helped 2 chicks out of their shells and both have had deformaties that prevented them from making progress. this could be the case with yours and then again they may just be weak. try candling them to see if they have piped internanlly. check your temps and humidity as well. if they stop moving altogether then i would gentlely make a small hole and see if the chick is still alive and has piped internally if neither then i would gentlely remove the shell slowly to comfirm the chick is dead and if so do an eggtopsy to see if you can tell what happened and even post pics here to see what people have to say that could better your chances....all in alll wait till at least day 25 before doing any of this

 

[hdowden]

i have never had this type of advice before as chicks can be weak from trying to get out of the shell for some shells are thick. i wouldnt just toss it out for the chick could still be alive and shrink wrapped in its shell causing it to not hatch. there are many reasons why a chick may need help but again i dont give up on any chick

Its prob not going to hatch. Just leave it alone and after day 24 throw it out or crack it open and see how far it was.

 

[philchirp]

we did the float test, and the ones that we can feel the movement on when held between two fingers, has some rocking. I really wish they would just hatch already.

 

[MamaMarcy]

I know the wait is so hard.