Hands on hatching and help

[Redhead Rae]

I pulled away a few pieces of the shell that the chick had broken. Now it's just an area of membrane the size of a quarter with the hole in it that was his pip. He's peeping and I can see his body pressing against the membrane at certain intervals. Help guys! He's definitely malpositioned or something. All my other chicks would be out in minutes in this case.

Are you seeing any veins in the membrane? If not try peeling some of the shell and membrane out of the way. Try leaving the chick's bottom encased in the shell while focusing on freeing it's head. Don't peel the chick all the way out, let it kick itself free.

 

[AltonaAcres]

I don't see veins, but I can only see the outer membrane right now. It is white. I am too worried about it bleeding out! Should I keep pulling the shell away or give it more time?

 

[Redhead Rae]

I don't see veins, but I can only see the outer membrane right now. It is white. I am too worried about it bleeding out! Should I keep pulling the shell away or give it more time?

I would peel back one small section at at time, stop if you see blood. Also, moisten with coconut oil or vaseline, water can chill the chick and kill it.

 

[AltonaAcres]

Ok. Last time, I only pulled a tiny piece away and it immediately started gushing blood. That's why I rushed to get the chick out of the egg ASAP. Should I remove shell or membrane first? Or leave it be and see if it progresses? How do I know if the membrane is 'dead' and won't bleed? What do I do if I start seeing blood?

 

[Redhead Rae]

Ok. Last time, I only pulled a tiny piece away and it immediately started gushing blood. That's why I rushed to get the chick out of the egg ASAP. Should I remove shell or membrane first? Or leave it be and see if it progresses? How do I know if the membrane is 'dead' and won't bleed? What do I do if I start seeing blood?

If it is bleeding it needs to stay in the shell longer. If it is gushing blood I would leave it along for 12 hours. It's circulatory system hasn't receeded from the membrane yet and it isn't ready to hatch. If it is a little blood, I leave it be. A lot of blood, you can help stop the bleeding with cornstarch.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I peel back a small section of shell, then I peel back the membrane. I pull them membrane SLOWLY and stop if I see any blood.

The only way to know if there isn't any blood in the membrane is to pull it back, carefully. Another sign is watching to see if the chick ist trying to get out. In your case, I would wait and make sure the membrane stays moist.

 

[AltonaAcres]

The membrane is not staying moist, it is turning light tan.........would coconut oil help or is it a lost cause and I should just step in?

 

[AltonaAcres]

Also, do you remove the egg from the incubator while you do this or leave it in? I have a pipped on the incubator so trying to not open it.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I believe I said coconut oil or vaseline previously. I open the incubator quickly, pull out the egg I want and shut the incubator while I work on the egg. I also watch the humidity closely.

 

[AltonaAcres]

Ok. I will peel back the membrane a tiny bit and have corn starch on hand. I'll update you soon. Thanks for you help!