Helping chickens out of their egg.

When it comes to chicks not making progress, I try to troubleshoot; I try to give it at least 24 hours after pip. If absolutely zero progress has been made, I've found it safe to assume the chick is badly positioned. They should have at least started zipping by then. Sometimes I will *very carefully* open a small zip, maybe 1/4 way around the egg, not breaking the membrane, and give it another 12 hours. if the chick hasn't even broken the membrane I definitely assume it's positioned wrong. At that point I zip 3/4 around, or all the way if it's obviously in a really bad way and can't push, and wait for it to break through the membrane. I try to make the chick fight as much as possible to build strength, otherwise you end up with leg strength issues.

Hobbling is a great idea! As long as the chick is eating and drinking, maybe amend with some electrolytes, and make sure the little guy doesn't get trampled. Give it at least 3-4 days of hobble time, and keep the hobbled long/wide enough to give the chick a bit of straddle. Don't pin the legs beneath the body, that's not natural. The chick will flop around and struggle, but it needs to build those muscles!

I'm rootin' fer ya, little guy!

We used a band aid

that would be good