Hatchlings

Today, I thought I would talk about the new hatchling. I have been asked about the little pointy  bit that sticks out on their beaks. It is there to pierce the egg for hatching. Once they have grown to the size of the egg and there is no room left the little point pierces the egg and lets the air in !! It takes quite a few hours for the hatchling to unfurl and dry out. Once this has finished they will step out of the egg and immediately find somewhere to hide .Sometimes ,they will stay in the egg until the yolk is completely finished and the umbilical area has shrivelled up. The umbilical area will take a further day or two to seal completely so no bathing  until this has happened and at least a week to ten days after. Whilst  the area is slightly open bathing could introduce bacteria. Once the hatchling has gone through all of this it is ready to go off on  it's big adventure!!  The little pointy bit on the beak will wear away on its own in time  and one day will be gone forever..... There probably is a latin name or proper name for the pointy bit but I don't know what it is!!!!!.........