Help! Chick hatched on it's back.....

[EJPedrazzi]

...... should I help it get up? It's been on it's back for a few minutes now, pulled off the umbilical cord and kicked the shell away. Should I flip it over, or wait for it on it's own time?

First ever hatch, which was unexpected as I just brought it in from the hen to the bator today!! (she crushed one of it's siblings).

 

[WestminsterHens]

I would lift it over very carefully with a soft cloth.

 

[EJPedrazzi]

Thanks! It actually flipped itself over shortly after I posted this.

One more question - it's quite active, and trotting around all over the other eggs - should I put it in the brooder? It's pal isn't far off hatching and their chirping is encouraging each other. I don't want it to hurt itself, or push the other eggs too much....?

 

[bobbi-j]

Just let them be for awhile. The hatched chick will not hurt the others. And yes, they do sometimes lay on their backs for a bit before flipping over. Hatching is hard work and they need to rest. I just leave mine alone until they are up and moving well, and all dried off.