Assist or not

[Vconde09]

I have a chick that pipped 5 hours ago.has mad a big whole in the egg almost half way around the egg but now seems no progress.Should I assist or leave it?

 

[Yardmom]

Wait 24 hours. They sleep sometimes.

 

[Vconde09]

I just checked no progress.I just feel so bad I can hear it chirping really loud.i hate this waiting game!lol

 

[LynnaePB]

It sounds as though it's already half way through a zip? Once they start zipping it shouldn't be long before they make it out unless they get stuck. Helping them when they've stalled in a zip is usually safe and typically has a good outcome. If it were me I'd help the little one out now. Just be careful and go slowly in case any blood vessels have yet to be absorbed (they should be already seeing as your little one started its zip). Gently chip away at the shell to finish the zip watching carefully to make sure there isn't any bleeding. If you hit an active blood vessel stop the bleeding then return the little one to the incubator and give it at least a half hour before trying again.

 

[Vconde09]

It sounds as though it's already half way through a zip? Once they start zipping it shouldn't be long before they make it out unless they get stuck. Helping them when they've stalled in a zip is usually safe and typically has a good outcome. If it were me I'd help the little one out now. Just be careful and go slowly in case any blood vessels have yet to be absorbed (they should be already seeing as your little one started its zip). Gently chip away at the shell to finish the zip watching carefully to make sure there isn't any bleeding. If you hit an active blood vessel return the little one to the incubator and give it at least a half hour before trying again.

Yes it is almost half way through its zip
That's what I was thinking.But now I have another one zipping so I am scared to open the incubator.

 

[LynnaePB]

Yes it is almost half way through its zip
That's what I was thinking.But now I have another one zipping so I am scared to open the incubator.

The other shouldn't take too long (mine usually take 15-30 minutes to zip). You could probably wait until the other makes it out as long as it doesn't also take a long time.

If you do want to intervene sooner it is likely your others will be fine as long as you are quick. I've found quickly opening the incubator hasn't been a problem for me when I have to assist even if there are other chicks pipped or zipping. Shrink wrap typically doesn't occur quickly so as long as your incubator gets back up to a higher humidity within a few minutes you'll likely be fine.

 

[LynnaePB]

This is a good assisting resource to read through while you're waiting if you haven't read it before.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/#:~:text=Assisted Hatching Method for All Poultry&text=A baby chick/duckling/gosling,yolk is not fully absorbed.

If the other hasn't made it out within 30 minutes I'd go ahead and help the first. Being stuck can really take it out of them so you don't want to leave them like that too long if you can help it.

 

[Vconde09]

Well I got the first one unstuck.he was drying out because of the hole it had made.i found poop in the bottom of the shell when I pulled it off.I have a feeling that is not a good sign!I put it back in the incubator and he's just laying there.i hope it's not to late.i left the other one that was zipping because it's making a chewing motion with its mouth.

 

[Mvan42]

Good job.. it should be fine.

 

[Vconde09]

I hope so!

Good job.. it should be fine.