Day 20... Peachick upside down in egg

[darkbluespace]

I started with 18 peafowl eggs and candled today and removed some early quitters and am down to 9 that look good! 8 days to go!

One egg I candled clearly has feet down by the air cell. I was wondering if there is anything I can do to get the peachick turned around before hatch time?? I propped the big end up in the bator a little bit, wondering if somehow that might turn chicky around. I guess if nothing else I will know to keep an eye on this egg to assist.


Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[JeanR]

I candle my setting eggs fairly often, whether under a hen or in my Brinsea Mini Incubator. (Forget the warnings, but use good judgement. Hens get off the nest as long as an hour, to feed and poop while setting--shorter times the last days, but still may get off those last 3 days when they dare you to open the incubator! Rare, breach positions do show up when candling. This gives you a chance to help that chick at hatch time. Laying egg on its side MAY allow it to turn before hatch, but maybe NOT. Expect helping by being prepared, would work for Peachick as well as my Bantams.

Chick must make its own first crack in its shell, not a full pip, but a crack. If the other eggs are pipping and cracking around the shell, it is time tostart the rescue of the "breach baby". Toothpick break into the membrane near the beak. Air! Then,if no bleeding, chip a bit around, but higher than the usual "top"--air must get to the beak area. Chick cannot turn, so if all is well when the top comes off, gentle chipping down the egg, will begin to release the body. Let the baby rest before removing the entire shell. Almost all breach babies have thrived==would have perished without carefully times help. GOOD LUCK

 

[darkbluespace]

Thank you! Yes, I was surprised to see the feet so clearly at the wrong end! The eggs have been on their side for all of incubation.. I may be dreaming that putting it at a slight angle might turn it around... I think that is for human babies ; )

I have read some about assisting in breech situation. Thank you for more details... I guess I can be glad to know in advance so I can be ready!

 

[dominiquePL]

Shall i poke the membrane then so the chicks get some air? Got 2 eggs like that. Theres a crack in the shell not a full pip.

 

[darkbluespace]

Shall i poke the membrane then so the chicks get some air? Got 2 eggs like that. Theres a crack in the shell not a full pip.

Sounds like they could use some air... since everyone else is pipping!

 

[dominiquePL]

Ok. Thanks. Ive done it. Now i wont touch them for the whole day and then well see...