Abandoned chicken egg What To do??

[ChickenMommy83]

I have an abandoned egg at Day 22, it's chirping and making a soft scratching noise. Mama went off with the other chickies. I don't have an incubator, what can I/should I do?? Help please!

 

[Redhead Rae]

Put it on a heating pad on low with damp towels around but not touching the egg could work.

 

[redranger209]

Is it pipped? If so, keep the membrane moist. If not, I’d recommend msking a safety hole. Take a mini screwdriver and hand drill a hole in the air cell.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

@ChickenMommy83 see post # 11657 on the thread, hands on hatching and help

ETA: I posted this last week because we had the same problem, chick is fine and running around the pen as I type!!

 

[ChickenMommy83]

Is it pipped? If so, keep the membrane moist. If not, I’d recommend msking a safety hole. Take a mini screwdriver and hand drill a hole in the air cell.

It hasn't pipped. How long should I wait to make a hole?

 

[Redhead Rae]

It hasn't pipped. How long should I wait to make a hole?

I don't know on the how long question, but on the how question. I use a small drill bit and just turn it in between my fingers on a spot and only putting enough downward pressure so the bit scrapes the shell. It can take a couple minutes to get through, but you won't hurt the chick doing it that way. With a pin or nail, you could stab the chick.

 

[sylviethecochin]

It hasn't pipped. How long should I wait to make a hole?

Read this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching.64660/ before you do anything with the chick. And I suggest contacting Pyxis if you're still having trouble after that.

Good luck!

 

[Redhead Rae]

@WVduckchick is also a great resource.

 

[WVduckchick]

Update on what's been done? Pics would be good too.

 

[ChickenMommy83]

Update on what's been done? Pics would be good too.

I just got back in from checking on the situation, mama went back to the egg!! After I searched and searched for a tiny screwdriver in case I needed to make a hole, and dug up a heating pad and bin and stuffed animals if it needed to be moved inside.....after all that and she went back to it Oh well I'm glad she did! I'll check it first thing in the morning and give an update Here's a pic of mama just before deciding to hop back on the egg.