first time incubating

[chickenlittle84]

Oh he's wanting out!  The membrane is looking a little yellowed, at least the pic looks like it.  But as long as you think he is still moving around good, I think I'd leave it.  You could moisten it a bit if it starts looking browner.  When he pushes on it, just make sure its flexible and not stiff.   Can you see good movement through the big opening that you made?  And does it look like the blood vessels have receded well now? 

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Don't see any blood vessels at all anymore even when moist. The membrane at the pip is really rubbery feeling I think he might need help. That's the area with the bruised looking yellowish patch on the outside shell. Air cell membrane is different and alot thinner. I can see lots of movement through both holes. I'm gonna give him a couple hours and maybe help him a bit after the kids get home if he hasn't made any progress.

 

[chickenlittle84]

I tried pulling the tough looking membrane back a bit to see if that was preventing him from hatching and I saw a tiny drop of blood. I put a piece of tissue on it and looks like the bleed has stopped. Gonna have to give him more time but he's really looking like he wants out of there. He's been frantically pushing his bill through the hole all day without making any progress

 

[WVduckchick]

Please tell me this little guy got out last night?

 

[chickenlittle84]

Nope he's still the same. The gap around his bill is letting a lot of air into the shell and he kinda looks like hes starting to dry out and looks fluffier. I can see his wing flapping a bit above his bill. Last night I thought for sure he was getting ready to unzip because I noticed his bill wasn't sticking straight out anymore, he had turned till it was on an angle through the hole. I'm wonder if he's getting stuck because the moisture inside the egg is drying. He could be getting glued to himself or inside the egg. I feel like he's gonna need help to hatch but after seeing blood last night I'm scared to do anything. Do you think he's just not ready yet?

 

[chickenlittle84]

 

[chickenlittle84]

Doesn't it look like he's turned and just needs to pull his bill in a bit to start cracking around the egg. But he's not and now kinda looks like he's trying to turn back the other way. I don't think he can though. Should I do anything to help him?

 

[WalnutHill]

Work slowly and dab with water as you go to free the membrane. He's been stuck long enough and if you don't see blood, you are good to go. Start at his hole and gently work a line around the shell.

 

[chickenlittle84]

Work slowly and dab with water as you go to free the membrane. He's been stuck long enough and if you don't see blood, you are good to go. Start at his hole and gently work a line around the shell.

Am I just taking off tiny pieces of the shell to make a line? Or opening the membrane?

 

[WalnutHill]

the membrane will probably be dry and leathery, but get a feel for it as you go. Start by using blunt tweezers to chip off a piece of shell, and if the outer membrane is dry, open that too. Nibble your way around just as the baby should have. I prefer to lift shell first, then membrane, as there is less risk of pinching the baby when you can see and feel it without the shell in the way.

He's probably stuck like glue in there after all this time.

 

[chickenlittle84]

Shell is definitely not coming off easily. I'm picking pieces off slowly but having a hard time following a line around the shell. Its chipping in every direction. He's really moving around now with the extra space and starting to tear the membrane around his beak