Chick in Shell - picked at by broody hen

[ChickenFan73]

Good afternoon!
This post might belong in the hatching section, but I am not certain. I haven't found any other articles that address this specifically.
We have a broody hen that hatched 4 chicks successfully.
The fifth egg had pipped and everything was going well, but she got off the nest because the other four chicks decided to go exploring.
So, since she settled down outside the nest, we took the pipped egg and put it next to her. At first, she put it under her and everything seemed fine, but we saw her peck it once. It started bleeding. I took it away, and have put it in an incubator, but I don't know what else, if anything, there is to be done.
Any help or ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[nchls school]

Good afternoon!
This post might belong in the hatching section, but I am not certain. I haven't found any other articles that address this specifically.
We have a broody hen that hatched 4 chicks successfully.
The fifth egg had pipped and everything was going well, but she got off the nest because the other four chicks decided to go exploring.
So, since she settled down outside the nest, we took the pipped egg and put it next to her. At first, she put it under her and everything seemed fine, but we saw her peck it once. It started bleeding. I took it away, and have put it in an incubator, but I don't know what else, if anything, there is to be done.
Any help or ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks!

If all 5 eggs started incubation at the same time the pipped egg should be ready to hatch completely. Since the egg has not been kept at a constant temperature the chick may be weakened and unable to break out on its own. It is easy to determine when the chick should be out of the shell. 1st-look to see if there is more than one pip opening; if so the time is close. 2nd-peel back enough shell around the pip opening so you can see the membrane covering the chick. Should the membrane be milky white with veins full of blood, it is too soon and should be returned to the incubator. If the membrane is transluscent and bloodless (or nearly so) Peel the shell off the rounded end in the shape that a normally hatched chick would do. Then peel the membrane off that area and push the remaining edges back over the shell so the membrane does not dry to the chick. Once the shell and membrane have been removed return the unhatched chick to the incubator and let the chick emerge on its own. It is important that the chick emerge on its own to ensure the yolk sack has been completely absorbed.

 

[LONDON HENS]

How long ago did the hen leave the egg originally to go exploring with the chicks? Is this chick making noises from inside the egg?

Its said you shouldn't help an egg hatch but in this instance I don't think they is anything lost as the chick might die anyway. Also you would rather the hen rears it than you have to set up a heat lamp and separate cage etc.

There is always some blood and fluid when a chick hatches but usually it drys up very quickly.
I would very carefully pull back a bit of the shell and be careful with the inner membrane as this may be stuck to the chick if it has been pipped for a while and the moisture inside has evaporated some what. I wouldn't completely take it from the egg but make a good start and then put it under the hen for it to finish hatching naturally. I have done this once in similar circumstances and the chick turned into a healthy laying hen for many years.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[ChickenFan73]

No, it is bleeding because the hen picked at the chick. It is an injury. Can anything be done? Bactracin? Polysporin? or is it just wait and see?

 

[nchls school]

No, it is bleeding because the hen picked at the chick. It is an injury. Can anything be done? Bactracin? Polysporin? or is it just wait and see?

Can you see if it's the chick or the membrane that's bleeding? If it's the membrane it should be Ok as far as the chick is concerned. If the chick is bleeding post where the injury is. A picture would be helpful. Hopefully this can be done without removing the egg from the incubator.

 

[ChickenFan73]

It is difficult to tell, actually. She sometimes chirps quite loudly.
I put her in the incubator at 38C (100.4F) and 65% humidity. Are these the proper settings for a chick that started outside an incubator?
Thoughts?

 

[nchls school]

From the picture it looks to be the membrane. I believe your settings to be good.

 

[ChickenFan73]

Thanks for your help!
Will update when there are further developments.

 

[ChickenFan73]

Update!
She hatched this morning! She is still a bit wet.
However, a piece of membrane is still stuck to her with a bit of blood. Looks like she got pecked on top of a wing. Other than wait and see, is there anything else we can do to help? (After she dries off, I mean).

 

[nchls school]

If the blood has stopped the only thing to do is enjoy the new baby.