First timer with lots of questions

[chickfused]

I guess I'm just going to wish it luck then. I have no idea what I'm doing and the article is helpful, but it doesn't help me know at all if it's time to help. Also, how do I take this whole thing out of there without causing the humidity to drop for the others which are trying to hatch, etc.

It just knocked a huge piece of shell off.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Did it externally pip in the air cell? If so, you can open the air cell a tiny bit, without rupturing the membrane, and then you can check to see if the blood has been absorbed.

 

[chickfused]

It's beak is fully in the outside world. The membrane was torn.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I like to use tweezers to chip away very small pieces of the shell that covers the air cell, starting where the chick externally pipped. Then you can use coconut oil or warm water to moisten the membrane. This will make it easier for you to see the veins in the membrane and if the blood has been absorbed.

 

[chickfused]

I think it's ok. It's turned about and is zipping away going upward now.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Actually, do you see the beak doing any chewing or yawning? If so, it's not ready.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

OK. Just keep an eye on it (I know it's hard to look away) and don't let it stall for too long. With the membrane drying out like that, you don't want the chick to become stuck by dried stuck on membrane. You're doing great!

 

[chickfused]

The beak was defintely doing a little chewing, but no yawning. A very little chewing. But it seems determined to hatch, so...good luck little one. It's completely flipped over, is chirping away and gone another full inch since the last photo.

 

[chickfused]

Thank you for walking through this with me! It's all the way across the top of the shell now!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Thank you for walking through this with me! It's all the way across the top of the shell now!

OK. This is great news! I'm so excited for you. Please share some chick pics whenever it hatches