Chick struggling to unzip

[kellym424]

I have a few silkie eggs in incubator that were due to hatch on Feb 13. One started that evening and finally came out a little before 1am on Valentine's day. Another one started piping at about 9:30 last night and at about 1pm today it made a full hole. However it has only made the hole slightly bigger since then. Just keeps chirping occasionally and making little pecks after long naps. Humidity and temp is perfect. Is this normal? Thanks in advance!

 

[Windy_Acres]

How's it doing now? Can you post a picture of its progress?

 

[Tony O.]

Sometimes the membrane will dry and the chick gets stuck. You may have to help it out.

 

[kellym424]

The chick behind it has hatched but the one having trouble I did make the hole a little larger just taking the shell off and not membrane. It still is chirping and moving around but not trying to break free.

 

[kellym424]

Sometimes the membrane will dry and the chick gets stuck. You may have to help it out.

Another chick hatched and didn't have any problems with its membrane drying out.

 

[kellym424]

Better angle

 

[Windy_Acres]

That’s the same one from last night? I’m surprised it hasn’t kicked out yet. The membrane looks ready from the pictures- I don’t see any more veins. You could wet it (a q-tip dampened with water or oil will work) to check for sure for veins. I’m tempted to think the chick is malpositioned and can’t kick out, so if I were you I’d give it a bit more help- I’d break the rest of the membrane, and get the top of the egg off, see what’s up. It should be able to get itself out from there.

 

[kellym424]

That’s the same one from last night? I’m surprised it hasn’t kicked out yet. The membrane looks ready from the pictures- I don’t see any more veins. You could wet it (a q-tip dampened with water or oil will work) to check for sure for veins. I’m tempted to think the chick is malpositioned and can’t kick out, so if I were you I’d give it a bit more help- I’d break the rest of the membrane, and get the top of the egg off, see what’s up. It should be able to get itself out from there.

Thank you! Took your advice and he's out!

 

[Windy_Acres]

Awesome!
Hope he’s doing well.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Woo hoo! Congratulations on your hatch! Best wishes and have lots of fun with your new fuzz babies!