Crap.

[Jego]

I feel so guilty.

We were incubating a goose egg for a friend. It externally pipped 3 days ago. Yesterday morning, it started to zip and then stopped. I noticed the membrane was very thick and dry, despite us keeping the incubator at 80% humidity, so I gently peeled back some shell. I have never had a shrink wrapped chick, but it was looking fairly shrink wrapped. The shell did not bleed, so I decided that if it hadn't hatched this afternoon, I'd help.

Well, that was a mistake. Even though the shell was not bleeding at all, the yolk is still only maybe 2/3 absorbed. I should have candled it but the shell was so think, I didn't think I could see anything.

I feel awful that I did this. Had I left it alone, would it have been okay? I thought they would have hatched in 3 days after pipping.

I currently have it lying in the incubator with a moist paper towel. It's a tiny bit noisy and resting. I don't have high hopes for it and I feel awful. What could I have done differently?

 

[HKG]

Is it out of the shell?

 

[Everose]

@Demintion @CluckNDoodle @WVduckchick

 

[Everose]

I think it can be put in a warm towel and will still absorb the yolk. The shell being on or off doesnt affect this too much. I haven't done this before so wait for an expert to chime in

 

[Jego]

Is it out of the shell?

Yes, out of the shell. I didn't realize it hadn't absorbed completely when I chipped away the top and then it came out on its own.

 

[Jego]

I think it can be put in a warm towel and will still absorb the yolk. The shell being on or off doesnt affect this too much. I haven't done this before so wait for an expert to chime in

Ok, I have it on a warm, damp towel in the incubator so it hopefully wouldn't stick.

 

[WVduckchick]

Use a dry towel instead. If you have a small bowl, like a butter bowl, you can make a little nest-like structure. This is to immobilize it and keep it from dragging the yolk around and avoid possibly rupturing it.

As far as doing anything different in the future, assists just need proceed super slowly. Never remove the whole shell. The best idea is to remove enough for it to breathe, then slowly remove more, as needed, to allow it to escape the shell on its own. It’s how we all learn, so don’t feel bad. You likely saved it by starting the assist when you did.

 

[Jego]

Use a dry towel instead. If you have a small bowl, like a butter bowl, you can make a little nest-like structure. This is to immobilize it and keep it from dragging the yolk around and avoid possibly rupturing it.

As far as doing anything different in the future, assists just need proceed super slowly. Never remove the whole shell. The best idea is to remove enough for it to breathe, then slowly remove more, as needed, to allow it to escape the shell on its own. It’s how we all learn, so don’t feel bad. You likely saved it by starting the assist when you did.

Thank you so much!

It actually did come out on its own, but probably because I removed too much. I'll switch the towel and make the nest. I appreciate your help!

 

[WVduckchick]

Thank you so much!

It actually did come out on its own, but probably because I removed too much. I'll switch the towel and make the nest. I appreciate your help!

You can also reduce the heat a tiny bit, half a degree at most. Confined in a bowl will build a little more heat, as air flow is restricted a bit. (I’m assuming you have a fan)

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I ditto what WVduckchick said! I will add that it's pretty unusual for them to start unzipping and stopping. Also unusual for the yolk to not be completely absorbed when all of the blood is absorbed. Does the navel appear to be open where the yolk is protruding or does it look like the navel started to close prematurely around the yolk before it was fully absorbed? If it's the latter it's possible that the temps were a little too high (the most common reason for this happening).