Help! Is it Time to Help This Little One?

[Lrpete]

It’s is my first time incubating eggs and I’m only doing it because my broody hen broke her set after sitting for a week. I didn’t want the eggs to die, so I put them in the incubator. Since then I’ve been trying to research how to do this correctly. My first one hatched just fine, the second was shrink wrapped and I helped him out and he’s doing well. Three through 16 went fine then this one pipped last night about 9pm. By this morning he’d poked a good size hole in the shell, but was malpositioned and coming out the side and I thought I should start helping him. I broke out some of the shell, but he hasn’t seemed to be trying very hard to get out. I tried to break into the shell where there should be an air sack, but there doesn’t seem to be one. I’ve put warm water and coconut oil on the membrane to keep it moist and I’ve set the egg in a moist paper towel in the incubator. (Humidity is around 70-75%.)

Based on what he looks like now, should I go ahead and finish helping him out? He’s not struggling a lot, but when he does try, he’s not accomplishing anything. I have a short video but can’t figure out how to post it, so here’s a still photo. He doesn’t seem to be shrink wrapped, but the membrane is very tough and he’s not breaking/pushing out.

 

[HappyClucker7]

@MGG @cavemanrich

 

[yakitori]

If he’s struggling and chirping and you don’t see any obvious veins (after applying coconut oil), i would suggest to start carefully removing the shell from around the head.

Stop if you encounter bleeding, dab the bleeding with a tissue, and put him back.

See if he can kick himself out after you clean the shell above his head. you may have to end up doing a full assist...

 

[GoatGirl123]

Is the chick making chewing or yawning motions?

 

[Lrpete]

Is the chick making chewing or yawning motions?

No. Just opens his mouth to chirp.

 

[Lrpete]

If he’s struggling and chirping and you don’t see any obvious veins (after applying coconut oil), i would suggest to start carefully removing the shell from around the head.

Stop if you encounter bleeding, dab the bleeding with a tissue, and put him back.

See if he can kick himself out after you clean the shell above his head. you may have to end up doing a full assist...

I’ve removed some more of the shell...probably half of it. No obvious veins and I think there’s just a tiny remnant of the yolk sack, so I’m thinking he’s absorbed everything. He’s just not pushing very hard to get out and I’m worried he may have a failure to thrive. He seems...lazy.

 

[yakitori]

I’ve removed some more of the shell...probably half of it. No obvious veins and I think there’s just a tiny remnant of the yolk sack, so I’m thinking he’s absorbed everything. He’s just not pushing very hard to get out and I’m worried he may have a failure to thrive. He seems...lazy.

It’s up to you whether you want to assist or let mother nature take its course then

 

[Lrpete]

I decided to go ahead and help this little guy out of the shell, and he had absorbed the blood and yolk. However, I’m not sure he’s fully formed. His feet are gray instead of orange and his eye is covered over. Not sure if that’s some membrane covering it or if there’s a problem with his eye. He’s not able to stand, but will kick and try to move. He’s also chirping a lot, but not real loud like his siblings did.

I think I made the right decision to help, but I don’t think he’s going to survive. Nature will have to take its course.

 

[Lrpete]

Believe it or not, this little guy made it through the night! And although he’s making a lot of noise, he doesn’t seem able to use his feet/legs. He can’t stand and he keeps his left leg pulled up. I’ve washed his down because it was very crusty and wasn’t fluffing up, so I’ve been gently massaging the down to dry it and help it fluff. He’s on a heating pad on my lap now and I’m trying to prop him up in the towel to maybe help strengthen his legs. He’s moving around a lot, but just not standing. He’s very tiny compared to his siblings.

He’s trying really hard to live, but I’m at a loss to know what to do with him. I’ve given him a couple drops of electrolytes, but if he can’t walk, he won’t be able to get to food. I can’t put him in with his siblings because I know he won’t be accepted and may even be killed by them.

What should I do now? He’s going to starve to death if he keeps going like this. Should I put him back in the bator and just let that happen?

 

[cavemanrich]

The incubator would provide the ideal warmth. Chick does not need to eat for the first days of her life. Consider how hatcheries mail day old chicks. They do not include feed with box. Don't give up
Incubator would be better than the heating pad IMO.
Open up every so often to introduce fresh air, unless there is sufficient ventilation in your incubator. She needs oxygen.