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Post by BigM on Aug 7, 2013 6:01:07 GMT -5
Any ideas why some of my eggs get all the way to the pipping stage and then die before they make it out? Is it something I can work to avoid?
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Post by Cyngbaeld on Aug 7, 2013 15:39:12 GMT -5
Drop the temperature by one degree the day before you expect them to hatch and raise the humidity as much as you can. Watch the temp as it will frequently spike on you when the chicks are close to hatching. They start producing quite a bit of heat on their own just before they hatch.
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Post by BigM on Aug 8, 2013 7:40:45 GMT -5
I was thinking the humidity might be the issue. Hmmm...
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Post by Cyngbaeld on Aug 8, 2013 7:59:36 GMT -5
It is more temperature than humidity at that point. You need to drop it at least 24 hrs prior to hatch. Sometimes they are trying to hatch too soon because the temp is too high. They pip, but the yolk hasn't absorbed completely so they stall and wait for it to absorb before completing the hatch. If they pip and don't get out right away the membrane hardens around them so they can't move. If I have one that has pipped and gone longer than about 8-12 hrs, I'll break the top of the shell away and if the membrane is dry I'll take a damp paper towel and push the membrane away from the head. Leave the baby covered with the shell though and wrap in a damp paper towel then put in a zip lock bag that is open and cover the whole thing with a dark colored dry wash cloth. If you can keep it in the rest of the shell and not have the other chicks knock it around it will nearly always absorb the rest of the shell and then work its way out. It will be weak at first so keep it separated till it is running around or the others will stomp it to death.
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Post by BigM on Aug 9, 2013 6:28:20 GMT -5
Thanks Kim! Where would I be without you?!
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Post by BigM on Aug 14, 2013 5:10:42 GMT -5
Your advice has really helped! Thank you!!
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