Half Hatched Chick

[DallasChickyMomma]

Sorry for all the threads, I do use the search feature but am pretty garbage at it. So I had three pips this morning. 2 have fully hatched and I have another that is literally hanging out of it's shell, but there seems to be blood vessels still with blood in them, there is a little blood happening in there, and I can plainly see the yolk sac. I have no other eggs actively hatching, so this would be a good time to do anything if there is anything to be done... is there anything I should do for this chick or just hope he figures it out? He's breathing, laying on his side as if still fully enclosed in the egg, not trying to kick free anymore. Just sleeping, but not seeming to be in distress at all.

What a wild ride this first hatch has been!

 

[LynnaePB]

Aww poor little guy, it sounds like he tried to come out a bit too early. I don't think there is really anything you can do other than wait. His best bet is to stay in that egg until he has finished absorbing the yolk/blood vessels. Hopefully he will be smart about it and stay in there until he is finished.

I'd be careful and try to make sure the other chicks can't jostle him if they are still in the incubator with him. I've seen pictures of ducks propped up in a cup with their lower half still in the egg to give them time to finish absorbing. I've never had to deal with chicks hatching too early with lots of yolk and blood left to absorb. I hope someone with more experience with this particular issue will be able to guide you through the best options.

Good luck!

 

[TheOddOneOut]

@MGG @EggSighted4Life @sourland @casportpony

 

[DallasChickyMomma]

Update: the chick is still laying in there as if in the egg, but beginning to make motions as if it's trying to kick more shell off. Still not opening it's eyes, but I could see that the membrane around the yolk sac was trying to dry out, and over all the membrane was getting sticky, so I put neosporin on it. I also put the other chicks in the brooder cause they were running all over the baby and I was afraid their little nails would rip the yolk sac. It still seems strong, just... confused about it's presence in the world lol. It was cheeping at me when I was putting the neosporin on it. Hope I am doing this right, cause I don't even know.

 

[DallasChickyMomma]

All is well! The chick finally "hatched", shed off what was left of the egg, the yolk sac and blood vessels are completely absorbed now and he is wobbling around the incubator. Thanks!

 

[chelseachook]

All is well! The chick finally "hatched", shed off what was left of the egg, the yolk sac and blood vessels are completely absorbed now and he is wobbling around the incubator. Thanks!

Good to hear!

 

[LynnaePB]

All is well! The chick finally "hatched", shed off what was left of the egg, the yolk sac and blood vessels are completely absorbed now and he is wobbling around the incubator. Thanks!

Aww that is wonderful news, congratulations!

 

[Sonya9]

Glad to hear he is doing well! I am no hatching expert but some people will put a chick like that in a cup with a damp paper towel (in the incubator) to keep them from moving around until the veins close and the egg is absorbed.
Just an fyi.