Help!!!! Opened incubated egg too soon! Chick's still alive?!?

[kitkat2498]

I set half a dozen eggs 25 days ago. Three in the bator and three under my broody. My three all died around day 17, just quit developing. I threw those out, and then checked on my broodys eggs. The one seemed to have quit as well.
The remaining two I did a float test on, and they moved a bit,so i let them be for another day. Then I started worrying they might have gotten stuck, since the others seemed to die from dried up membranes. So I chipped into the one. I was disappointed because the membrane was completely dry and the chick wasn't even developed. But as I kept chipping, I noticed it was moving!
There are a ton of veins still, and what appears to be the yolk. I can't really see the chick but it could be she's upside down?? What should I do?? I currently have the egg in the bator wrapped in a damp cloth,and I keep wetting down the membrane so it doesn't shrinkwrap. Is it possible for an egg to be this delayed in developing? Is this chick not even a chick yet? What can I do to try and save it? Is it possible for it to finish growing without the shell as long as the membrane is still intact?

 

[loveourbirds]

that is alot of questions! it sounds like you are doing all that you can.

the chick could be a slow developer, it sometimes happens with low temperature. other causes can be shipped eggs, and problems in the parents. another issue could be the thickness of the shells, and low storage temperatures.

when you say the membrane is all dried out, are you talking about the outer part or the inner (clear) membrane? the outer one will appear white and dry, especially towards the air cell or large end of the egg.

my first goal is to try and help you save this chick, then we will try to figure out what went wrong and get you on track with hatching. this link (below) should help you, if you have any more questions just post them here. i will have another friend checking in, she is better at assisted hatching and getting the chick started afterwards.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching

if the chick makes it, give it about 6 hours to stand and check its feet and beak for damage. let me know what you see.

 

[kitkat2498]

that is alot of questions! it sounds like you are doing all that you can.

the chick could be a slow developer, it sometimes happens with low temperature. other causes can be shipped eggs, and problems in the parents. another issue could be the thickness of the shells, and low storage temperatures.

when you say the membrane is all dried out, are you talking about the outer part or the inner (clear) membrane? the outer one will appear white and dry, especially towards the air cell or large end of the egg.

my first goal is to try and help you save this chick, then we will try to figure out what went wrong and get you on track with hatching. this link (below) should help you, if you have any more questions just post them here. i will have another friend checking in, she is better at assisted hatching and getting the chick started afterwards.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching

if the chick makes it, give it about 6 hours to stand and check its feet and beak for damage. let me know what you see.

Thank you so much for responding! Okay,the outer membrane is broken now. Broke it when I chiseled into the egg. All that's left is the inner membrane which is covered in veins. Not as big and red as they were a couple of hours ago,though. The chick is definitely in there. I've seen an eye so far. I believe its twisted itself into "hatching" position because I can actually see the chick now. Its still very active, with brief pauses of rest. I haven't done anything to help it hatch because it seems to be doing fine,from what I can tell. I've taken a few videos of it, and I'll see if I can get those up soon.

 

[loveourbirds]

it sounds like its well on its way. just make sure it stays humid enough you will probably have to assist the hatch when its ready.

where did you get the eggs? and tell me about your incubator.

 

[kitkat2498]

A friend of mine gave me a few to try hatching. He's trying to start up an egg business,and is in the process of breeding his chickens to get some new breed. I'm not too sure. I don't really agree with the whole breeding part. But anyways, he gave me a few fertile eggs not knowing what they are because his hens and roosters are kind of just mixed up right now. I stuck three of them in my homemade incubator, which is just a small,Styrofoam cooler with a 20 watt (I think) bulb. I've kept water in a pan at the bottom, but I think it may not have been enough. The temp has been a steady 99-100 degrees Fahrenheit. Now for this egg I added more water and switched the bulb to a 40 because I have to keep opening the bator to mist down the egg.

 

[TweetyNPetey]

You're doing a great job! (I've been watching this thread for hours, xD)
I am not too experienced with situations like this, so I'm not quite sure how to help, but it looks like you have help from loveourbirds.
I wish the best to you and the chick. Keep us updated!

 

[loveourbirds]

do you have any type of shield between the light bulb and the eggs? sometimes you will get hot spots if the light shines directly on the eggs.

is your thermometer calibrated? my first guess with what you said about the eggs in the incubator is your temperature is about 3-5 degrees low. there are other issues we can address if this is not the problem.

is the thermostat digital, wafer type, water heater or none at all?

are there air holes in the incubator?

 

[kitkat2498]

do you have any type of shield between the light bulb and the eggs? sometimes you will get hot spots if the light shines directly on the eggs.

is your thermometer calibrated? my first guess with what you said about the eggs in the incubator is your temperature is about 3-5 degrees low. there are other issues we can address if this is not the problem.

is the thermostat digital, wafer type, water heater or none at all?

are there air holes in the incubator?

There are holes,and the thermometer is actually just a bulb thermometer..only one I had on hand. There's chickenwire between the eggs,and a bit of duct tape over that (had to cover sharp edges).

 

[kitkat2498]

You're doing a great job! (I've been watching this thread for hours, xD)
I am not too experienced with situations like this, so I'm not quite sure how to help, but it looks like you have help from loveourbirds.

I wish the best to you and the chick. Keep us updated!

Thank you so much for the support!

 

[loveourbirds]

did you turn your eggs at least once a day?

im still leaning towards low temperature and possible hot spots, but trying to cover all the basics. can you get a picture of your incubator's inside?