Help. Chick has only 1/2 unzipped

[katiek77]

i have a Black Copper Marans that pipped today at 9:16 am cst. It started unzipping at 11 am. Around 11:33am it got tired and took a break. It has only unzipped half way. It is still breathing and chirping. It has tried to peck at some of the shell but no change. It is now 10:11 pm. I know they say wait 24 hours. But I have been looking for this unzip issue and all I can find is it shouldn’t take over three hours to unzip. What do I do? In the picture you can see it’s little beak. Thank you.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

In my experience once they start zipping it should go quickly. The resting is between pip and zip. Something has probably gone wrong. However I've done much more harm "assisted hatching" than just leaving them alone until I'm 100% sure they're ready. Check your humidity and sit on your hands until the 24 hour mark.

 

[katiek77]

In my experience once they start zipping it should go quickly. The resting is between pip and zip. Something has probably gone wrong. However I've done much more harm "assisted hatching" than just leaving them alone until I'm 100% sure they're ready. Check your humidity and sit on your hands until the 24 hour mark.

Thank you so much for your reply. The humidity is currently bouncing between 68 and 69. The color and the moisture of the membrane has not changed. The membrane of this bcm chick versus some light Brahmas I hatched are two totally different colors. The lb membrane was white and almost looked like thin paper. The first one took about 12 mins to unzip. The second one took 15 mins to unzip. And then the third one took 36 mins to unzip. That is what has me so confused. The membrane color and texture with the amount of time it’s taking this little one.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

I agree. That membrane looks unhealthy. This is not a Marans specific issue (my breed of choice). This page has a picture of an egg like yours. You might find it helpful.

http://www.waldeneffect.org/blog/How_to_help_chicks_during_hatching/

 

[katiek77]

I agree. That membrane looks unhealthy. This is not a Marans specific issue (my breed of choice). This page has a picture of an egg like yours. You might find it helpful.

http://www.waldeneffect.org/blog/How_to_help_chicks_during_hatching/

Thank you for the link. It is about the same color but our membrane is still moist. It has almost been 12 hours since it last removed any of the shell. I’m about ready to cry for this baby. All the research I done on chicken breeds bcm was my very first pick. This was a year ago. These are my first babies to try and hatch to start our flock. Today is day 21. I have a dozen eggs. One is this one and the other has piped at 2:48pm so I figured it will start to unzip around the 12 hour mark. The others have not piped yet. It is killing me when I hear the chick chirp and knowing it’s not getting anywhere.

 

[katiek77]

Doing more research I found this post. This describes exactly what mine has been through. I noticed the leg in mine after writing the post and watching the egg. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/assistance-please.1219881/

 

[katiek77]

Doing more research I found this post. This describes exactly what mine has been through. I noticed the leg in mine after writing the post and watching the egg. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/assistance-please.1219881/

And it is also a marans egg.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

Doing more research I found this post. This describes exactly what mine has been through. I noticed the leg in mine after writing the post and watching the egg. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/assistance-please.1219881/

Sounds like you've got your answer. I don't see a leg in the pic but trust you to make the call. I think you're fine to start assisting this morning if you haven't already.

 

[katiek77]

Sounds like you've got your answer. I don't see a leg in the pic but trust you to make the call. I think you're fine to start assisting this morning if you haven't already.

I noticed it later. I did all the stages of helping it hatch giving it plenty of opportunity to hatch on its own. It never could. 4 hours later I had to do a full on hatch for it. It is doing great. Within 30 mins of hatch it was perching on the water tubing of the incubator. It was ready to hatch. It just couldn’t. All vessels where detached and yolk absorbed. Now I have another issue. I have a buff laced polish that has pipped 12+ hours ago. Now when it sticks it beak out to breathe it looks like it has lost its egg tooth. Is that possible? Here are pics of the bcm we assisted. It does have some coconut oil on it from drenching the membrane with it.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

I noticed it later. I did all the stages of helping it hatch giving it plenty of opportunity to hatch on its own. It never could. 4 hours later I had to do a full on hatch for it. It is doing great. Within 30 mins of hatch it was perching on the water tubing of the incubator. It was ready to hatch. It just couldn’t. All vessels where detached and yolk absorbed. Now I have another issue. I have a buff laced polish that has pipped 12+ hours ago. Now when it sticks it beak out to breathe it looks like it has lost its egg tooth. Is that possible? Here are pics of the bcm we assisted. It does have some coconut oil on it from drenching the membrane with it.

I'm glad it's out! Great job being patient and assisting.

As far as the missing egg tooth honestly I don't think I've ever been that observant. My initial thought would be if they could pip they can also zip.