Help! Is my chick drowning in the egg? (Pics)

Naliez

Songster
May 7, 2015
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Today is day 20 in lockdown. Temp is 100, humidity is 75-80%. I had an egg pip last night. Here it was.

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Today, there looks like there's a lot of fluid around the pip hole and there's some bubbles in/around his beak when he opens and closes his beak. This is my first time and I have no idea if this is normal. I'm afraid he's drowning.

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Also, the way he's opening and closing his mouth looks like gasping. There's peeping, but I don't think it's from him. I've read that "helping" can do more harm than good, especially if you don't know what you're doing (like me). So, is this normal or not? If not, is there anything I can/should or shouldn't do? Thanks!
 
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There is some fluid that is present during the hatch. Chicks come out wet. If it is too dry then they will get glued in. With that said seeing bubbles around the beak seems like too much fluid. Opening and closing their beak is not as concerning. I see that as they are exercising there lungs and learning to breathe. I can't see clearly in the pics but if you are concerned maybe use a piece of egg carton to hatch upright. The excess fluid will flow downward and hopefully away from the chicks airway. As far as helping it is a very fine line. I do help out chicks and do everything I can. BUT you can kill the chick in the process if you don't know what you are doing. Looking at the pics I don't think you are at that point yet.
 
There is some fluid that is present during the hatch. Chicks come out wet. If it is too dry then they will get glued in. With that said seeing bubbles around the beak seems like too much fluid. Opening and closing their beak is not as concerning. I see that as they are exercising there lungs and learning to breathe. I can't see clearly in the pics but if you are concerned maybe use a piece of egg carton to hatch upright. The excess fluid will flow downward and hopefully away from the chicks airway. As far as helping it is a very fine line. I do help out chicks and do everything I can. BUT you can kill the chick in the process if you don't know what you are doing. Looking at the pics I don't think you are at that point yet.

Thank you so much. The egg carton sounds like a perfect idea.
 
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That one didn't make it, but I did get 6 of the 8. I helped 2 of them who pipped and made no progress for over 24 hours and it took about 5 hours of me taking VERY tiny steps to help. Being my first hatch, I am pretty happy!
 
So sorry to hear it! It's always hard when you lose one. Those babies are sweet tho!!! Silkies?
 
Yes, they are pretty little Silkies. Our first ever. Thank you. Although the curve seems steep, it's all a pretty awesome learning experience so far. We lost our entire first attempt at hatching shipped Serama eggs. The Silkies were local, so we thought we'd have a better chance, and we did! Although, now we're quickly becoming hatch-a-holics and already have another batch of Seramas in the bater! :)
 

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