Help out of the egg...?

[BAMA]

When is it ok to help them out of the shell? I have one that has pecked a small hole but seems to be slow in getting out. How long should I wait?

 

[Mahonri]

I usually wait at least 18 hours. If the humidity is good and it doesn't look dried out, I leave it alone. If not I pull it out, use some warm water to dab the membrane so I can see if there are veins as I gradually pull shell away, bit by bit.... I usually follow the 'zip' line... where the chick would normally zip. If I encounter blood, I stop and put it back in the bator with the warm wet paper towel around it, leaving a spot open around the beak..

 

[BAMA]

It's pecking away but not making much progress.