Emergency 'e-section' for 24 day egg?

[TAKAFOOMI]

I've been trying to incubate 1 lonely egg, because it's the only one to survive, for the past 24 days - tomorrow is 25. I know it was ideally supposed to pop open @ 21 days but alas, this chick is a late bloomer. I've candled the egg yesterday and today and I do see some movement. I don't want the little thing to get stuck in there. Should I perform an emergency 'e-section' to crack open the egg? I bought 3 chicks (rhode island reds) to keep her company. The egg itself is from my own backyard flock, so I'd really like to see it survive. Does anyone know if the 'e-section' is advisable? Should I wait until 25 days? Help!

Thanks.

 

[meriruka]

Here's a thread that may help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=313279

 

[NakPakChick]

Come on chickie!

 

[Why and Dotte]

I wouldn't recommend it, if the chick isn't ready it could bleed to death. I almost lost a chick that pipped and my hen pecked it open I was able to save it but the little thing was extremely weak, it couldn't lift it's head or move for a long time, I didn't think it would survive. There was blood everywhere from the membrane (blood that's supposed to go into the chick, not all over my hands) I was so scared for the little fuzzy, it's doing much better now though.

 

[TAKAFOOMI]

Hi all.. I still have no pipp on my egg.. I candled again and I see it move inside. Do I crack it open? I read the other posts they were very helpful.. but it looked like each story was about an egg that at least pipped.. Do I wait until day 25 before cracking it open? Do I dive in now? If I crack it open, do I go on the air pocket side? I'd hate to wait until day 25 to discover the little thing expired when I could have performed the 'e-section'. Help!

 

[babsbag]

What have your temps and humidity been? I would be afraid to help if it hasn't at least pipped. I read somewhere on BYC where someone said that they would sometimes crack the egg into the air cell and break the membrane but I would be afraid to do that, and I can't find that post. I would make sure that the humidity is up around 70%. Do you hear any cheeping from the egg? And also, make sure you have good ventilation in the incubator, that is really important.

Good luck, come on chickie.

edited to add link
Here is a link where someone talks about how they help call ducks hatch that have not pipped externally. I am not good enough at candling to recognize an internal pip, maybe someone else can help you with that it you need it.

http://www.freewebs.com/sundownwaterfowl/howtohatcheggs.htm

 

[TAKAFOOMI]

So I went in this AM.. I figured by Day 25 the little chick had to be viable or something had to be wrong.. I opened the shell on the air pocket side. The air pocket to me seemed like it was too large - nearly 1/3 - 1/2 of the egg. When I first opened it I could see the butt side of the chick. I don't know if chicks have a breach position but I didnt see how the chick would ever breath if it's butt was pointing towards the air. Anyway, I poked open the membrane.. at first it ran clear.. The chick was still moving. I wanted to find it's head without trashing the entire egg. I poked the membrane again, this time I saw a mix of clear fluid and blood. My wife was with me, I kept warming water and wetting the membrane(s). The chick was still moving as I poked further. I saw the little foot pop out. But something just did not look right to me. The blood clotted, but honestly.. the thing just did not look right still. I decided to poke open the other side of the egg, I still did not see a beak. Now the chick has stopped moving altogether. I am not sure if she's bled to death, if I opened the shell too early @ 25 days, or if she was mal-formed. From what I can see the little belly is featherless, the head is tucked in .. I'm worried about moving the head at this point to see the beak although I fear it's already died. Was this stupid to do? Hindsight being 20/20 I still think something had to be done.. looking at the little chick I'm wondering if I did something wrong during the incubation process.. Would low humidity cause such a large air sack to form? I only rotated the egg twice a day.. I don't know if I can stomach another hatch if they go like this. All I wanted was a little chick to pop out on its own.

 

[TAKAFOOMI]

well, I'm sorry to report its dead.

 

[secretquail]

so sorry for your loss

I know it is hard...I had a few eggs pip last year, and the chicks (baby quail) were deformed, and died almost immediately. But don't give up! Nature is hard on us, but try again!

 

[The YardFarmers]

I really don't think you could have done anything else and you tried and shared something new with all of us. We have had a few that just couldn't hatch either. It's sad, but as vigourous and amazing as the ones who do hatch, I would think they are just too weak or have another problem. I hope you try again.