Committed a hatching sin....impatience....help?

[Camelot Farms]

I feel bad enough as it is, so please no yelling or reminding me of my stupidity...

Day 23 of Serama hatching, I candle just to see what had happened to my chicks since they were due 4 days ago.

Looks normal and no signs of movement so I figure I will open one just to see how far along they were when they died. We had a brief power outage a week ago and I figure that was the cause of their demise.

I make a tiny hole at the top of the shell where the air is and proceed to pick it til I have a hole the size of a dime. Didnt break into the inner membrane at that point because I knew it would be wet and slimy and I wasnt ready for that part yet...weak stomach.

Just as I go to peel back that membrane, it moves. I nearly drop the egg. So, now I have this 1/2 an egg in my hand and the chick is kicking around like crazy, but upside down with head at the tiny end...probably the reason she didnt hatch.

Panic ensues and I moisten the membrane and put the while thing back in the 'bator with a warm wet towel to up the humidity.

I pray all night that in the morning, I have a chick waiting for me. No such luck. Still in there and still moving.

Here is my question....NOW WHAT?

 

[walkswithdog]

Put tape or cling wrap over 90% of the hole and wait. Usually they'll hatch anyway.

 

[patyrdz]

If you were peeling and there was no blood, it is probably ready to come out but can't because it is upside down. If it was my chick I would help it before it dies. I know some do not agree, but like I said, this is what I would do if there was no blood. good luck!

 

[zowieyellowflame]

So you made a hole in the membrane right? I think if it were me, I would peel back a tiny bit now, as long as there was no blood and then a little more in a couple hours. And then stop. let him do the rest, if he cant, he wasn't meant to be. I am hatching, as we speak too, and several days ago I marked the edge of the airspace on every egg with a big circle.... One of the chicks came out the wrong end. I was alarmed at first but not for long. he popped out on his own.
My husband and I are new at this (as grown ups) and this morning, while still sleepy at 5 am, we seen a chick struggling with the shell broke, but nothing through the membrane. We thought he was in jeopardy and punctured it so he could get air..... BAD, BAD, BAD!!!! He started to bleed.... we only made a tiny hole.... we put him back and went to work for the day. Tonight, he has hatched on his own and is fine I guess.
Another chick was fully encased in membrane, all the shell was pretty much gone, he had been trying for 12 hrs and we peeled back about 1 third or half, THERE WAS NO BLOOD at all. We thought we did a good thing, we thought the humidity was wrong and his membrane was too tough.... Anyways, he pushed himself out of the rest of the shell half an hr after we helped and his insides were trailing behind. SO DON"T HELP A LOT IF U ARE GOING TO HELP!!!! This chick is still living and his insides... umbilicord seems to have absorbed inside or something. I expected him to die, but he is still alive and seems fine.
To help or not, seems like a case by case choice. Anyway. Whatever you are going to do, sit down and think about for 10 min before you do it.

 

[Camelot Farms]

Well, a sad ending to the story. The little fella didnt make it. He moved for a while and even worked himself up to peeping a few times and then after a while just slowly went to sleep. I kept him warm and comfy and just let him go.

Thankfully, I have come to take these things in stride. Years ago I would have been hysterical. Not that I am unfeeling now, I have just learned that you have too take the sad/hard with the happy/easy.

Thanks for the advice and the tips!

 

[snoblossom]

I am so sorry, it is hard to leave things alone I always give my eggs at least an extra 3-5 days to be sure especially after having a power outage. I am glad you are using this as a
learning experience, it is the best teacher.

 

[adrian]

If there was no bleeding, it is unlikely that the baby would have made it anyway... I'm sorry that you lost him, but it probably wasn't your fault.