Crushed egg, any hope? Need suggestions fast!

[billfields]

Set a broody on the evening of April 13. Today one of the eggs is crushed, (looks like maybe she stepped on it) membrane is showing, about a quarter of the shll is off but the chick is still alive. Any hope for it? Thinking about wrapping it in a damp paper towel under a heat lamp (no incubator and I don't think there is time to get it). It would have been due to hatch Friday or Saturday. Or should I leave it where it is, under Momma?

 

[CarolJ]

Oh wow! If the chick is still definitely alive, I would sure want to do whatever I could to help it survive. Leaving it with the hen seems a little risky to me - but I'm sure no expert. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[billfields]

Me too. IUt's hard for me not to try something. Father of a premature daugheter (who is about to start grad school) and a premature niece (who this year in first grade went regionals in with her sicence fair project) I'm kinda partial to premies and their potential. I am leaning toward bringing it inside, wrapping it in a damp paper towel and putting it under a heat lamp and hoping for the best. Mostly I am comncerned that s/he not dry out.

 

[billfields]

Went out to check and the membrane was torn, chick was half out so I brought it in and freed it. I'm sure it would not have lasted the night in the nest. I doubt it does anyway. There is a LOT of yoke left unabsorbed but it is alive...

 

[billfields]

S/he made it for a couple of hours but last time I checked was gone. Feel really sorry for the poor thing, If Momma's foot could have waited just a day or so more!