HELP! 911! Pipped Small end & Down

[mrhyland]

Hi all. I need some help.

We have 3 Ameraucana eggs that are hatching. Last night 2 got out. One pipped the small end of the egg, which was also facing more down. There are a few small flecks of shell beside the hole, and also a few drops of dark liquid (assuming blood?)

Do I help it hatch? Just leave it and see?

 

[Mvan42]

Leave it for now as long as you know its alive and breathing. Be prepared to assist though. It needs time to absorb the yolk. So wait at least 12 plus hours..

 

[Poultrykeeper12]

Hello! So this happens a lot. The truth is your fine, this happens because after they use the air sack for air, they turn in a different angle of the egg. You may need to help it get out once it is ready.

 

[mrhyland]

Thanks team. I'll leave for now and see how it goes.

 

[cmom]

I agree I would wait and see. I like so many others have had chicks pip the pointy end of the shell and hatch fine but I would be ready in case it may need assistance. Good luck and have fun...

 

[Poultrykeeper12]

Let us know how well it goes.

 

[mrhyland]

Well, the other two have been out for at least 10 hours, so I cracked open the incubator, threw in a warm wet paper towel, and rolled the egg so it was pip up. There is some movement in the hole. I can see the little beak, and the egg is wobbling at times. But not much progress yet. I’ll keep watching and waiting.

 

[cmom]

If it has pipped for around 24 hours, then maybe pick off small bits of the shell and if you encounter any blood stop. Sometimes when they have pipped but not zipped yet, it may be still absorbing the yolk. Just be sure to proceed carefully when and if you do. It may be stuck. Good luck...

 

[mrhyland]

Thanks all for the advice! I ended up removing a little bit of the shell to create a sort of zip line, and the chick was able to get out. It looks like it has a bit of a splayed leg though, so I'll do some research on dealing with that.