[hannah7733]

My cockatiels have 4 fertile eggs that are now at day 22 of incubation. On day 20 I could hear one of the eggs chirping and another one had a pip but since then there's been no progress and I haven't heard any more chirping. I know it can sometimes take longer than 21 days and this is their first clutch so the incubation wasn't super consistent to begin with which might have slowed down their development somewhat, but when I noticed the chirping and pip I was thinking they were going to hatch within the next 24 hours and now I'm getting worried that they've died inside the shell. Should I be worried or is this normal?

 

[Daytontiel]

Do you know when first external pipping happened? If pipping happens within 24 hours without hatching, that is perfect normal.Usually, when I see first external pipping, i will wait 48 hours, if by that time, baby does not hatch naturally, I will open the egg shell carefully. I did successfully help one or two eggs hatching before.

If the environment humidity is low, baby could be trapped inside eggs due to the membrane is dried out. So, keep environment humidity 50% or higher.

 

[hannah7733]

Thank you for your reply, unfortunately they are all dead in the shell. I noticed the first pip and chirps 5pm Tuesday but when I candled them Wednesday, Thursday and today there was no movement. After reading your reply I found some other tests to see if they were dead in the shell and as a last resort I opened up the air cells to be certain and they had all passed. I'm really upset, I don't know what went wrong. They were looked after by the parents so I had no control over the humidity and temp but they were both bathing regularly and sitting on the eggs constantly (other than the first few days were they were getting the hang of it). The membranes didn't look dry, the chicks were fully developed, the shell didn't feel excessively hard, all my birds have a great diet so I don't think it could be a nutritional thing. Granted its their first clutch, both birds are about 18 months which I know is on the young side but I discouraged breeding as much as I could and they were determined and laid the eggs under my TV unit! I figured if their age was the issue then the chicks would have not developed at all? I really can't think of what went wrong but if you have any ideas I'd really appreciate it.

 

[Daytontiel]

Sorry to hear the loss. I can't not figure out the possible reason. DIS does happens in nature, but, not so common. Of course, under the TV unit is not an idea place for hatching eggs. Age of birds are not problem. I think the environment play major role. Do they sitting on eggs last a few days? Is the area quiet ? The last few days, the parent have to sitting on eggs most of time to maintain humidity and temperature.

If you don't do hormonal control, your pair will start eggs laying process within a few weeks. In case you do want to more babies, Hang a nest box for them now, they may have a better luck next time. I just use cardboard box, volume at least twice the size of shoe box will great.

 

[hannah7733]

They were sitting on the eggs 24/7 for the whole period with the exception of the first 3 or 4 days when the eggs were left for a few hours a day. It was mostly quiet but I'd have the TV on sometimes, hoovering, and other birds making noise but nothing excessive.

I've blocked up the TV unit so they can't nest under there again and there are no other potential nesting places that I can see anyway, I thought that would be enough to stop them trying again?

 

[Daytontiel]

I hope so. You have to pay attention next two or three weeks. If they start matting again, there is good chance they will try again somewhere.

 

[hannah7733]

Thank you for your help