How long does it take for the baby to break out of the shell, i noticed this morning a egg with a small hole in it this arvo it is gradually getting longer around the egg looks like the baby is moving around the egg to meet back where it started it has been around 8 hours so far, hope this makes sense or does the mother do the cracking ??

How long does it take for the baby to break out of the shell, i noticed this morning a egg with a small hole in it this arvo it is gradually getting longer around the egg looks like the baby is moving around the egg to meet back where it started it has been around 8 hours so far, hope this makes sense or does the mother do the cracking ??

Hi Rusty59 - it can take from 12 - 24 hours for the chick to break out of the shell. Can you hear it chirping? The mother doesnt help as far as I know. It should be hatched by the morning!

Jenene is right any longer then 24 hours I usually help it along, otherwise it will die in the shell ....I am sure that another member does this too .....

Jenene is right any longer then 24 hours I usually help it along, otherwise it will die in the shell ....I am sure that another member does this too .....

I have had to do it in the past but you need to be very very careful! A pair of tweezers is best to break tiny pieces of shell away till the chick is free.

Hmmm Maybe i should have thought about that .... And Clean washed hands !!

thanks for your answer i came out this morning and have not 1 but 2 babies

thanks for your answer i came out this morning and have not 1 but 2 babies

Wow!! Congratulations!!

YAY!! Two bubs!!! Congratulations!!!

Edited July 31, 200816 yr by **Liv**

Fantastic, I was just looking for this post to see what happened. I am glad it is all Good....

Mum doing a good job????

Yes mum and dad doing a great job now have three babies

all looking cute and healthy

that's good news... I will added for others reading this if you do have to help the chick it is best just to clear the head of the chick of shell, that way the mother can feed and give energy for the chick to completely break free. If you remove the shell too soon the Umbilical cord (yes there is one) might not have disconnected from the shell and you can harm the chick.

that's good news... I will added for others reading this if you do have to help the chick it is best just to clear the head of the chick of shell, that way the mother can feed and give energy for the chick to completely break free. If you remove the shell too soon the Umbilical cord (yes there is one) might not have disconnected from the shell and you can harm the chick.

Totally agree with Nerwens advice here. Intervening is something that should only be done in an emergency as it carries many risks for the chick

well thought i would give you an update have six healthy babies one egg didnt hatch all looking good and mum and dad are doing a great job, Had the babies out to clean there nest so took a group photo anyone want to guess what the eldest one color will be?

 

Awwwwww great news Rusty. Congrats on your babies. I would take a wild guess and say the oldest one will be grey normal, but thats just to see if Im right or wrong lol

 

PS thanks for the extra information Nerwen, that was something I didnt know and wouldnt have thought about

Edited August 12, 200816 yr by Sunnie

Ahhhh - Nerwen THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU .....

I did that to the very first Egg i helped Now i know why it didn't survive.

 

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They are sooo cute well done

Edited August 12, 200816 yr by Neat

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww ............CONGRATULATIONS Rusty59 they look absolutely beautifullllllllllllllll and so cuddly great pics and you have a wonderful smile on your face iam sure ...we have for ya John & Swanacilli