This is my first time having baby birds. My budgie’s egg pipped about 3 days ago, and the day of, it opened up more so there’s a small hole in the surface. Since then, however, it hasn’t cracked the egg open anymore. I’ve been checking every little while to see progress and haven’t seen anymore. Should I interfere and help it open up more? I’m not sure if the shell is just too hard for it or what to do. This is my first time having baby birds.
Hi,
It is best not to interfere. Hearing peeps is not the same as pipping. When the first small hole or crack appears, the chicks is starting to pip. It works its way around the egg and then the shell breaks open. It is a slow process that can take 24-48 hours, with the chick resting between sessions. If you interfere and the chick isn’t ready, you can cause it to bleed to death. If the chicks are unable to hatch and die in the shell, then most likely the humidity was too low. Usually the female will get her front feathers wet and go back in the box to make it more humid if it feels too dry to her. Likewise, you can very lightly mist her breast feathers one or two times when she comes out of the box to eat.
Thank you for asking Lafeber,
Brenda
