At what time should I help a chick out of its shell

TinyRaptorDodos

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My chicks finally started hatching, three all at once… but one isn’t out while the other two are, I know it’s alive because I can see it moving but it hasn’t tried to get out at all after getting it’s beak out, should I help it out tomorrow or just leave it and let it do it’s own thing?
I also have a potential dead egg, I haven’t noticed movement and no pipping from it yet, it could also be the egg that possibly wasn’t fertile though I’m pretty sure it was the other blue that I was sure on
I don’t have any other pictures of the blue egg and I don’t need to refill the incubator with water yet but if I do end up needing to do that I’ll get a picture of the eggs
058F3075-E91B-4848-864C-DA8D253FF8AF.jpeg
 
Generally, it is best to let the chick peck its way out of the egg. It actually pushes in its yolk sack into its abdomen, to close the abdomen, while it pushes out of the egg.

This can take as much as 24 hours after the first pip. Some seem to rest more in between.

As to helping depends on your philosophy. If after 24 hours, you want to try to help, some do. However, many of us keep in mind that it is best for the chick to hatch itself. Some feel that if it doesn't have the strength to hatch it will never thrive well.

I wouldn't interfere the first 24 hours after pip. I've only helped once or twice, and the chick still didn't survive. Generally if they can't hatch, they don't make it for oh so many reasons.

LofMc
 
If the chick has its beak out it can breath. The chick can stay safely in that position for more than a day. Some take longer than others to go from pip to zip. Never help a chick that opening and closing its mouth. That is a sign of absorbing the yolk still. If it goes over 24 hours without change and has absorbed the yolk. Chip slowly allowing the chick to hatch as much as possible on its own.
 

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