Disintegrating shell under broody - day 21 of hatch

[caitlyn11]

a small crack in this egg on day 20 turned into an almost completely disintegrated shell by day 21. I have had eggs crack before and tried to seal them but they have all failed to hatch so I left this one alone and now I am regretting that. The chick in this egg is still alive and has internally pipped. I believe it is trying to unzip. I think main concern is keeping it moist enough to prevent shrink wrapping - any ideas on how to best do this? Should I apply any oil? Any other tips or ideas? Should I keep it under the broody mom or start heating up my incubator to finish hatch? Thanks all! !!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'd heat up the incubator just in case.

I've always used an ointment like Bacitracin or Original Neosporin to keep a membrane moist. Warm up the ointment tube in some warm water so the ointment spreads more easily (you want a thin layer), then lightly apply with a qtip or small paint brush.

Others use coconut oil. So, use what you have to help keep the membrane pliable.


Have you ever assisted? I'll post a good article below in case you need it. It's always best to let the chick hatch on its own, if possible, but with this one, you may need to help at some point. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

 

[Debbie292d]

Agree 1000% with what @Wyorp Rock suggests.

When I used to let hens hatch, I had a couple of similar ones and put a thin coat of coconut oil on the membrane, put them in the incubator, jack the humidity up to 70%, and left them alone for 24 hours. One hatched by itself, the other I gave an extra day as it had zipped, then that one did hatch too.

 

[caitlyn11]

Thanks for the advice! I did just this - heated up the incubator, got the humidity to 70 quickly with small pieces of wet sponge, and applied a thin layer of coconut oil. I placed the chick in the incubator when it was warmed up. The chick pipped the membrane on its own and seemed like it was content to “chew” and rest after the pip so I walked away. Returned after 20 minutes and unfortunately it had passed. Tried to assist hatching but it was just too late to be saved. I guess each hatch is a learning experience but sad to lose a chick after it made it so far.

Thanks again!

 

[Debbie292d]

Thanks for the advice! I did just this - heated up the incubator, got the humidity to 70 quickly with small pieces of wet sponge, and applied a thin layer of coconut oil. I placed the chick in the incubator when it was warmed up. The chick pipped the membrane on its own and seemed like it was content to “chew” and rest after the pip so I walked away. Returned after 20 minutes and unfortunately it had passed. Tried to assist hatching but it was just too late to be saved. I guess each hatch is a learning experience but sad to lose a chick after it made it so far.

Thanks again!

Wow, so sorry. I thought it sounded good there for a minute. Usually, once they pip, they make it, but this one might have gotten injured when stepped on and crushed like that.

You're right though, each of these is a learning experience for sure! You'll be more successful the next time!