Help please.....what do I do???

[AngelaNicole1215]

I thought the chick was probably dead and opened the air sack end but could see what looked like a heartbeat or breathing motion in the membrane. I figured chick was breach and couldn't make internal pip so I used tweezers to make a small hole but it bled just a little so I used a wet paper towel to stop bleeding and poked a differdnt place I thought wasn't a blood vessel but it bled just a little too. Now I don't know if I need to let it be, is it ok that I poked those little holes but the beak isn't out yet??? Do I need to try to find the beak so it can breathe now????

 

[CluckNDoodle]

It may be malpositioned which is why you don't see the beak. Have all of the other chicks already hatched? This link to assisted hatching is a bit graphic but it covers A LOT of information regarding hatching and assisting.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching.64660/

 

[AngelaNicole1215]

That's what I'm afraid of but also don't want to help if it's not.....this is the only egg that was fertile out of 14 so I have no others to compare but in my previous hatches they have at least pipped by this point ...a fox took out my entire flock and I was hoping for a few of their babies to carry on but this one is the only one. That's why I'm overthinking everything!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I'm so sorry! What day are you on? It may be that it's just not ready to hatch yet.
Since the internal membrane is exposed now there is a higher likelihood that it will dry out. I personally have always used warm water but a lot of people swear by coconut oil. With either one be careful not to use too much, as you don't want to drown the chick. You will also be able to see the veins more clearly while it's wet if you do feel it's necessary to create an internal pip. I hope the chick makes it for you!

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

It may be malpositioned which is why you don't see the beak. Have all of the other chicks already hatched? This link to assisted hatching is a bit graphic but it covers A LOT of information regarding hatching and assisting.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching.64660/

They have another thread that’s the same as this one and stated that the chick is only on day 20. So I’m thinking it’s not malpositioned but just needs time.

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

I've had chicks hatch at day 24 before, chicks do not always make a pip on day 20. Each one is different, 21 days is just a guideline and more frequent.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Definitely what Wolfefarmyard is saying. It sounds too early so you really should just leave it alone and hope that it will still get into position to hatch. You may need to moisten the membrane so that it doesn't dry out. In this case, I think coconut oil would be your better option because it will likely need quite a lot more time and water evaporates quickly and may chill the chick with repeat applications.

 

[AngelaNicole1215]

I am going to get some coconut oil to apply and leave it alone, I really hope I didn't completely screw this up, this chick is so important to me. I never thought it would survive since it's the only one of 14 that was even fertile my roosters were so young. I was really expecting it to be dead, I have waited too long before and they are always dead already. This is new to me and I feel like an idiot for messing with it now. I have seen it rocking around since I've put it back in so hoping it's going to be ok.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I am going to get some coconut oil to apply and leave it alone, I really hope I didn't completely screw this up, this chick is so important to me. I never thought it would survive since it's the only one of 14 that was even fertile my roosters were so young. I was really expecting it to be dead, I have waited too long before and they are always dead already. This is new to me and I feel like an idiot for messing with it now. I have seen it rocking around since I've put it back in so hoping it's going to be ok.

It's ok! You're doing your best! Don't beat yourself up! Most of us that have hatched chicks have had some situation where we had to make a difficult decision and either stepped in too late or too soon. I'm really hoping your chick makes it!

 

[Anime2lover]

It's ok! You're doing your best! Don't beat yourself up! Most of us that have hatched chicks have had some situation where we had to make a difficult decision and either stepped in too late or too soon. I'm really hoping your chick makes it!

I had that choice twice this year. One duckling lived for about a week, and two chicks were to early.