Early Pip, Low Humidity (Posted in Emergencies also)

[RickaRae]

I have a pipped egg in my still air styrofoam incubator. I was going to go into lockdown tomorrow, & I dry incubate, so there was very low humidity in the incubator when the chick pipped. There's occasional peeping that sounds good & strong. I've got the humidity up around 80% now & the temp is almost back up (the pip was discovered during candling). I'm not sure if I had the dates wrong or if an elevation in temp sped up the development (does that even happen?). Last week, the temp in the incubator spiked. It was at 106 when I woke up, I have no idea for how long. I thought I had killed all of the eggs, but decided to ride it out & see what happened, & I wanted the incubator running in case a broody I currently have quits. My immediate concern is whether or not the chick may be stuck because of the low humidity at the time of the pip. How long should I wait before doing something? The membrane looks dry, but it's just a little hole, so it's hard to tell. I know it's not a good idea to help a chick out of the shell, but it seems these might be "special circumstances". Sorry for the book, I just wanted to get all of the details out there! Thank you in advance!

 

[red horse ranch]

I have a pipped egg in my still air styrofoam incubator. I was going to go into lockdown tomorrow, & I dry incubate, so there was very low humidity in the incubator when the chick pipped. There's occasional peeping that sounds good & strong. I've got the humidity up around 80% now & the temp is almost back up (the pip was discovered during candling). I'm not sure if I had the dates wrong or if an elevation in temp sped up the development (does that even happen?). Last week, the temp in the incubator spiked. It was at 106 when I woke up, I have no idea for how long. I thought I had killed all of the eggs, but decided to ride it out & see what happened, & I wanted the incubator running in case a broody I currently have quits. My immediate concern is whether or not the chick may be stuck because of the low humidity at the time of the pip. How long should I wait before doing something? The membrane looks dry, but it's just a little hole, so it's hard to tell. I know it's not a good idea to help a chick out of the shell, but it seems these might be "special circumstances". Sorry for the book, I just wanted to get all of the details out there! Thank you in advance!

I say there is a good chance that the chick may be stuck to the shell. But until it has been 24 hours after pipping you shouldn't do anything.
I put 5 guineas eggs into lockdown Saturday morning and an hour later one of them broke off a chunk of shell. Sunday morning it was still peeping and since it had been 24 hours I went ahead and helped. The keet was shrink wrapped and wouldn't have made it out on its own. I think the humidity hadn't had a chance to increase before it pipped.

 

[RickaRae]

I say there is a good chance that the chick may be stuck to the shell. But until it has been 24 hours after pipping you shouldn't do anything.
I put 5 guineas eggs into lockdown Saturday morning and an hour later one of them broke off a chunk of shell. Sunday morning it was still peeping and since it had been 24 hours I went ahead and helped. The keet was shrink wrapped and wouldn't have made it out on its own. I think the humidity hadn't had a chance to increase before it pipped.

I peeled a bit of the shell back, there is still peeping from inside, but it's quieter. If I decide to help it out, what's the best way? This is what it looks like:

 

[RickaRae]

Apparently, I can't upload pics right now. The membrane is white. It's the outer membrane, though, not the inner membrane. & there was movement just now! Can they still move if they're shrink wrapped?

 

[red horse ranch]

I peeled a bit of the shell back, there is still peeping from inside, but it's quieter. If I decide to help it out, what's the best way? This is what it looks like:

Keep it warm while you are removing the shell. I put a clean washcloth under a 40 watt gooseneck lamp as I am helping a chick. I use tweezers to remove a small piece of shell at a time. Stop immediately if you see any fresh blood. And work slowly. Only remove enough of the top of the shell to let the chick kick it's way out. Somewhere on this site is a complete instructions with pictures but I'm not sure where the link is.

 

[RickaRae]

Keep it warm while you are removing the shell. I put a clean washcloth under a 40 watt gooseneck lamp as I am helping a chick. I use tweezers to remove a small piece of shell at a time.  Stop immediately if you see any fresh blood. And work slowly. Only remove enough of the top of the shell to let the chick kick it's way out.  Somewhere on this site is a complete instructions with pictures but I'm not sure where the link is.:/

Thank you! I'm definitely doing some research before I undertake this endeavor. I haven't even decided IF I'm going to help it yet. :-/ I'll keep you posted!

 

[red horse ranch]

Apparently, I can't upload pics right now. The membrane is white. It's the outer membrane, though, not the inner membrane. & there was movement just now! Can they still move if they're shrink wrapped?

Usually if they are shrink wrapped or stuck to the membrane they might make the hole bigger but they can't turn to unzip.
It's a nerve wracking decision on whether to help or not. Most times I'm glad I did and ended up with a perfectly healthy chick.

But a few times I wished I had left it alone.

 

[RickaRae]

Thank you for all of the advice. I decided to intervene & it still died. :-( Then, today I got home from work & 2 of 3 pipped eggs under my broody hen had died from being shrink wrapped. After seeing the difference (what I THOUGHT was shrink wrapped yesterday wasn't, the outer membrane is just whiter), I intervened with the 3rd pipped chick that had gone nowhere since yesterday morning. This time was a success & although I'm aggravated with myself for intervening yesterday, I did feel I was making the right choice at the time & it's all a learning experience. A very tough one, but a learning experience nonetheless. Thank you so much for your help & advice! It is much appreciated!

PS...There was a chick in the incubator when I got home & 2 more pipped eggs! I was SURE they all died when the temp spiked! What a lucky girl am I?!?