Had to help a shrink wrapped chick . . . now what?

[CedarWaxwing]

We had a late hatcher in our incubator. The humidity dropped because I removed some chicks that were already hatched. Today I removed a few more that just needed to dry off and decided to look at the other eggs in case there was a pip that I had missed.

Well there was not only a pip, but a partial zip and a lot of peeping coming from one of the eggs! I could see that it was struggling. I put more water in the incubator and let it sit for a couple more hours while I took my kids to the dentist. (This was on day 24).

When I got back, it hadn't made any progress. I could see the membrane was very white and turning tan. The chick was peeping its head off. I picked at the shell and was able to peel the membrane off of the chick. There was no blood and the yolk sac was completely absorbed, so I took that as a good sign.

I put the baby back in the incubator to dry off.

Is there anything else I can do to help it out? Or just let it fluff up and cross my fingers?

 

[lazy gardener]

Hopefully, you've done everything that needs to be done. Congrats on a job well done.

 

[PapaChaz]

keep us posted on how it's doing

 

[azygous]

Incredible! That chick let you know it needed help and needed it NOW! Good for you for understanding its need!

We'll be waiting for the next update!

 

[CedarWaxwing]

I checked on the chick this morning, and it's looking pretty good. I moved it from the incubator to the brooder. It's kind of goopy, if that makes sense. It looks wet, but I think it still has some dried up membrane stuck to it. I didn't want to risk it getting to cold by washing it since I didn't have a hair dryer or anything.

Do you think I should try washing it off? Or just let it be?

 

[CedarWaxwing]

Oh, and also, an egg that hadn't even pipped hatched in that same incubator! I thought for sure we had as many chicks as we were going to get! I was so surprised!

 

[CedarWaxwing]

And thanks, I was so nervous!

 

[CedarWaxwing]

Update: "Chevrolet" (my daughter thinks this is the most beautiful name in the world) is doing great! She's a bit smaller than her buddies, but is getting along fine and isn't bullied or anything.

She's a light brahma, so I'm sure she'll be big in no time