Egg pipped at wrong end, over 40 hours since pip. Do I assist?

[Oncoming Storm]

I knew this egg had pipped because at a glance I could see the crack but I couldn’t tell from what end. MyIncubator is in a sleeve so I have very limited visibility and have to open the incubator to really see the eggs. I picked up this egg to check on it because what I read said if they’re taking a long time to hatch over 40 hours, to candle them to see at what process they’re at.I pulled the egg out and the check is chirping so it is still alive, but when I examined the egg I realized the chick had pit and cracked a hole on the small end of the egg. As I said, it has been roughly over 40 hours since this check pipped. Should I assist and if so do you have tips on how to do so?

 

[CalBickieMomma]

If it were me, I’d help. Just be careful and take your time. When I help, I start by carefully chip away the outer shell in the pattern the chick would follow (around the diameter of the egg). Then, using tiny tweezers and/or little scissors CAREFULLY and SLOWLY snip away the inner membrane, keeping watch for excessive blood and not snipping the baby. Once the shell is broken and the membrane removed about 5/6 of the way, set the egg down (in incubator or on a towel) and see if baby can push his/herself out. I prefer to let the baby make the final push, but if he/she sevens unable, I might pull a little on the shell and open it up a little bit, in increments, pausing now and then to see if baby can do the rest. You might also want to have a spray bottle with warm water, or a glass of warm water, to keep baby hydrated if need be. Hope this makes sense/helps .

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

If you haven't already read this guide to assisted hatching by Pyxis, I encourage you to do so. She addresses the wrong end pip in the guide, too.

While chicks that have pipped the wrong end can sometimes hatch without assistance, I find that they often do need assistance. At 40+ hours post external pip, I would cautiously do a check per the guide's instructions to assess progress and to inform your next steps. Best of luck!

 

[Oncoming Storm]

Sorry to keep you on your toes, we had an emergency at the farm I work at. The chick ended up hatching on its own and is chilling in the incubator drying off.