Does this chick need help?

[Trish1974]

I first noticed this egg had zipped around 2:00 am. At 7:00 am, there had not been much progress, but I could see it breathing through its beak. Two hours ago the beak was closer to the surface (that's the white spot in the picture), but not much progress since. I've read its best not to intervene, but I have also read hatching should be fairly quick after zipping. What should I do?

 

[BlueEggsAndHam]

Chicks can take up to 24 hours to hatch after they have started. So don’t worry that much.

 

[HuffleClaw]

The membrane looks a bit dry... what’s your humidity level at?

 

[Trish1974]

The membrane looks a bit dry... what’s your humidity level at?

59/60%

 

[HuffleClaw]

59/60%

That’s not too bad. Is the chick yawning or chewing? If not, then it’s most likely absorbed the yolk.

 

[Trish1974]

That’s not too bad. Is the chick yawning or chewing? If not, then it’s most likely absorbed the yolk.

It's not, there isn't any beak movement other than it looks like its jutting in and out. Every now and then it appears to "kick" pretty hard.

 

[chickens really]

Yes it's stuck in the zip so assist it out now..

 

[HuffleClaw]

It's not, there isn't any beak movement other than it looks like its jutting in and out. Every now and then it appears to "kick" pretty hard.

Then I’d definitely assist. Looking again at the picture, it’s most certainly stuck. Fingers crossed for the little one!

 

[Trish1974]

Thanks, but, how do I assist it?

 

[AltonaAcres]

Slowly and carefully peel back the shell and membrane like you would a boiled egg. Be really careful! The chick should pop out and start cheeping. It will sleep for a while in the incubator, it will be exhausted.