early hatch due to badly cracked egg

Our hens are having chicks right now, So far so good until I found one on floor cracked so bad I could see the chick inside, moving a very little. And another egg in the nest that looks like it has been stepped on, pretty badly cracked on the one side. Being new at this and not having an incubator..I panicked a little then made a makeshift incubator. That was nearly 12 hours ago. I have temp at around 37..and trying to keep humidity up. chick # 1 has its head out, it was peeping a little but the membrane was pretty tough and dry around its beak, so I did intervene, just so it could breath. it is now laying with its head out, breathing and lets out a very weak cheep every now and again. BUT I have noticed that it looks like the yolk sac is not absorbed. I am hoping it will some. I am worried that the poor little guy is suffering. It is almost 1 am and I should go to sleep, but cannot. worried about maintaining temp. etc. Do you think this little chick has a chance. Any feedback would be appreciated. I should also say that both eggs were cracked far to bad to patch up with anything. Also I am not sure of the exact age, although the chick looks pretty fullterm.

First and foremost, do not feel bad if neither of the chicks make it. Its best to let nature take its course. Do your best to keep the membrane moist. I've dealt with chicks that haven't absorbed the yolk all the way, they usually don't make it, but some do. Keep an eye on them and good luck!

This is what I found after the hen squashed the egg. I popped it in an egg cup and placed it in the brooder until it had absorbed the yolk. It's now a healthy bouncing boy.




Thanks to @Sally Sunshine's article I saved 3 of the chicks momma squished.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching

To both of you above: thanks for the reply. The chick that was part way out is still alive. I was just thinking of wrapping him in warm paper towel, well he bottom part of him where the egg yolk is, but maybe I will put him in a cup. I am wondering why his eyes are not open. They have sort of a blue grey film over them, is this normal. ....the other chick stopped moving during the night, although I kept him warm. this morning I knew what I had to do. he was in a perfect position, but egg yolk not absorbed at all. I will bury him later today. back to chick # 1. he seems weak. should I lay him down with the cup, I guess. thanks

chickeez said:

To both of you above:  thanks for the reply.  The chick that was part way out is still alive.  I was just thinking of wrapping him in warm paper towel, well he bottom part of him where the egg yolk is, but maybe I will put him in a cup.   I am wondering why his eyes are not open.  They have sort of a blue grey film over them, is this normal.   ....the other chick stopped moving during the night, although I kept him warm.  this morning I knew what I had to do.   he was in a perfect position, but egg yolk not absorbed at all.  I will bury him later today.    back to chick # 1.  he seems weak.  should I lay him down with the cup, I guess.  thanks

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Oh sorry for your loss. Yes , if you feel that it has not enough strength to hold its own head up . Even a cardboard egg carton will give support and help to keep the yolk being pulled away . Did you read the link above? And you may need to have some ' chick saver ' on hand if this little guy pulls through.

chickeez said:

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I believe it is the chick in the cup that saved his little one...since this picture was taken, 5 hours ago, the chick has absorbed most of his sac is fluffing up in the incubator, has had a sip of water, and I think is doing ok. he does not walk, so I lift him over to the waterer for a drink. I am a little worried about tonight...will be need water throughout the night. He is still farely weak, but what a little fighter, we love him so!

chickeez said:

I believe it is the chick in the cup that saved his little one...since this picture was taken, 5 hours ago,  the chick has absorbed most of his sac is fluffing up in the incubator, has had a sip of water, and I think is doing ok.   he does not walk, so I lift him over to the waterer for a drink.  I am a little worried about tonight...will be need water throughout the night.  He is still farely weak, but what a little fighter, we love him so! 

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Awe , look at that precious little thing. I just dip my finger in the water and tap the end of the beak. You will need to give little often. Try him/ her on some just cooked soft scrambled egg and add a little sugar water to it. That way it will get some moisture from the feed as well. Keep it warm but not too hot and don't leave water where it can fall into and drown. I would probably check him through the night. Thanks again @Sally Sunshine.

Thank you! I have been doing all that, and the chick is doing awesome, might put her under my Columbia rock hen, who has 1 chick, a week old, tonight. what do you think the chances are of the hen accepting her....I tried giving her to my very motherly bantams yesterday, but they have 2 - 2week olds and were pretty crazy when they saw the chick, so I snatched her back, the only other option is I keep her for 5 more days, then give her to another hen who is scheduled to have her small hatch of 3 or 4 then........what would you do, thanks for feedback!!

You won't know unless you try. As before just be ready to retrieve the little one if she rejects it. Glad to hear that you saved the little guy. Well done !