Egg zippering lengthwise

[isabelalberto]

I have 6 of 7 pheasants hatched over night. The last egg had already pipped in the morning and started zippering, but he is zippering lengthwise. He was really rolled around by the other birds. He is still 'breathing' but hasn't made much progress since the afternoon. Thoughts. Do I help? I read about how horrific helping can turn out. Anyone have experience with this?

 

[MRoberts7]

Can you let me know how this turned out? I have the same issue with an egg currently and am not sure what to do or if I should worry?

Thanks!

 

[isabelalberto]

Hi there. I waited and waited and read and finally helped the chick out. He had been working at it for a day and little progress was happening. It turned out that his inner membrane had dried too much and stuck to him. I took wet paper towel and put it below the egg to start to soften it, and then slowly peeled both the inner and outer membrane off. I had to wet the inner membrane as I went. I had a heat lamp right there too, so he didn't get cold. Once hatched, he was exhausted but perked up and is fine now.

 

[MRoberts7]

Thank you so much for the info and reply. It has been confirmation for me. I have made the decision to do the same for my chick. It's a little extra complicated in that my eggs are all being hatched by mamma hen so I have been working very slowly. Doing a bit at a time and then wrapping her back up in a warm, wet paper towel and sticking her back under mamma to warm up. Half an hour later repeating the process. Chick is definitely stuck though. The membrane was crunchy it was so dry. However, there is still veining so I'm also waiting for that to be absorbed. It's a long and stressful process! So glad your chick turned out fine and healthy. Praying the same for mine!