Help hatching chick?

[armiron13]

Hello!
This is the first time we're hatching in an incubator so I'm fairly new. In the past, we let the hens hatch but they seem to abandon the nest once 1 or 2 hatch.

So this little guy made its first pip hole 6am yesterday, its been 24hrs now. Do I need to help or leave it alone?

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[CombNWattles]

I’m sorry no one’s replied! I don’t know anything about hatching, but I’ll post to bump the thread up. I hope the little guy’s still okay…

 

[kattabelly]

If it's been over 24 hours with no progress it might be time to give it some help, especially as it looks like it might be malpositioned (usually they "pip" closer to the wide end of the egg, not the middle). Can you see the beak? Is it making chewing motions, or moving like it's trying to peck at the shell to get out?

This article has lots of information about assisting a hatch.

 

[armiron13]

Thank you guys! I was able to assist with chipping the shell back a bit and they pushed their way out. The membrane was stuck on the feather which I'm thinking contributed to them being stuck. They are out and resting

 

[kattabelly]

Thank you guys! I was able to assist with chipping the shell back a bit and they pushed their way out. The membrane was stuck on the feather which I'm thinking contributed to them being stuck. They are out and resting

I think some people do just leave it to eventually fall off by itself, so up to you what you feel comfortable with, but I would wash that much gunk off before it dries.

Is the navel fully closed?

 

[armiron13]

I did wipe away some of it. I wiped the butt area where the gunk was and there was a little red patch. Would that be the navel? I didnt force anything, it wiped away like it wasn't attached to anything.

 

[kattabelly]

I did wipe away some of it. I wiped the butt area where the gunk was and there was a little red patch. Would that be the navel? I didnt force anything, it wiped away like it wasn't attached to anything.

The navel is on the stomach, a little bit further down underneath the chick than the vent. Pretty much where you'd expect a belly button to be.

It should've been fairly obvious if it wasn't fully closed.

 

[armiron13]

Then yes, it is not fully closed. Against the black feathers, the red definitely stood out. Im at work right now so I cant check on how he or she is doing at the moment. Should it be fully closed?

 

[Tex452]

I would help it, the chick absorbing the yolk sack is crucial, but that should be enough time.

 

[armiron13]

Just an update, the chick is moving around nicely and it looks like the navel is closed. I dont see any red where I saw it this morning. Thank you to all who responded today