Bunnybryn
Songster
Hi everyone! My broody hen hatched some beautiful babies for the first time this weekend and I had one that I ended up having to assist with hatch. She had pipped and no progress for over 24 hours. I followed the advice in the assisted hatch article (which was so helpful!) And carefully removed shell over the airsac only. The chick was active and peeping but still making chewing motions so I let her be. Another day went by and she seemed to be struggling, I kept the membrane moist with coconut oil, and she was having no luck and was no longer yawning/chewing. No more active veins so I carefully helped her from the egg (it had been at least 40 hours from external pip).
When she came out what I'm guessing is her umbilical chord was swollen and still attached to some kind of substance and a piece of the egg. I wrapped her and the egg piece up and left her snuggly in a cup for several hours but she was very upset and struggling. Finally I trimmed off the egg shell bit leaving some of that substance attached to what I believe was the umbilical chord and put her in the brooder. The next morning the umbilical chord has massively decreased in size but she now has the substance stuck to her which has hardened and im not sure if I should do anything for her or just see if it eventually falls off and heals up.
She has been a little slow going taking lots of naps but she is drinking and trying to eat. She has also pooped twice that I've seen.
Any suggestions would be appreciated! This is my first time hatching and though it's been very exciting its been quite stressful too. Thank you!
When she came out what I'm guessing is her umbilical chord was swollen and still attached to some kind of substance and a piece of the egg. I wrapped her and the egg piece up and left her snuggly in a cup for several hours but she was very upset and struggling. Finally I trimmed off the egg shell bit leaving some of that substance attached to what I believe was the umbilical chord and put her in the brooder. The next morning the umbilical chord has massively decreased in size but she now has the substance stuck to her which has hardened and im not sure if I should do anything for her or just see if it eventually falls off and heals up.
She has been a little slow going taking lots of naps but she is drinking and trying to eat. She has also pooped twice that I've seen.
Any suggestions would be appreciated! This is my first time hatching and though it's been very exciting its been quite stressful too. Thank you!
