BAD PIP URGEBT HELP NEEDED

[Farmer Viola]

It is not time to help yet. Give the chick time. If you pull the chick out and it's yolk is not absorbed, or it's navel is malformed, then you will have a chick who you cannot provide continual care for because it's at a pre-school. Let nature happen. It is not even day 21 yet.

After the initial pip, the chick takes a long break before beginning to zip. I have seen the break last anywhere from 6-12 hours. It is a lot of work to break the shell away. This resting period is normal and expected and there is no need to intervene at this time. Give it until morning and then check back.

The chick's lungs are acclimating to breathing air for the first time. Pulling it out of the incubator into a room that is 30% or whatever humidity, and a 20-30 degree drop will not feel enjoyable to the chick. If there was a mother hen on that egg, she would bite you.

 

[scotter]

Just re-read that you are only at day 18. I agree go home and get some sleep. A little yellow at the edges of the membrane shouldn't be a problem. You may even return to a little fluff ball. If you decide to assist you will need to be committed for an extended time tonight may not be best if you will be getting locked out

 

[scotter]

If those are feathers you're seeing the chick may be in the process of rotating its head to start working on another part of the egg.

 

[wolfandfinch]

You guys are the best. Thank you!! Thank you for being so helpful and forceful it's just what I need. I'm sitting on my hands and hoping for a fluffball in the morning. I will own it if instead I'm getting a dead chick out before the kids see it though. A choice has to be made and I'll make it on your excellent advice. Let's hope I can sleep tonight!

 

[wolfandfinch]

It's out! Of course now I'm worried it's not ok because it can't stand up. Haha there is not helping me lol. I came in just after 8am. It's not totally dry so I'm assuming it's been out of the egg only a few hours. It's normal it can't get up yet right? It was stuck on the side of the bator so I did a quick open to get it to the middle in case it's feet were trapped. Humidity is still high at 80%.

 

[wolfandfinch]

It can only get one foot under it. I think it might also be missing a toe? I love it! I hope it gets some strength soon, and fluffs up another egg has pipped just now. I promise I won't go crazy on you all again!

 

[wolfandfinch]

 

[wolfandfinch]

 

[wolfandfinch]

Holy cow it's flopping all over the place!!! How do you keep it from smashing all the other eggs?!

 

[Farmer Viola]

She's just knocking on doors, letting them all know it's time to wake up!! It's okay, perfectly normal for the hatched chicks to climb over, on and around the other eggs. Don't open that bator!

Hooray on the next pip! Remember, after the pip she is taking a much needed and well deserved 12-24hr break. She needs her energy to zip. Congrats!

edit:
it is normal that they can't stand up when they first hatch. they can't hold their head up for very long either. they usually take naps a lot, and then thrash around wildly - it looks painful but it really is normal!