I need HELP!

[cyn2008]

I had a broody hen that sat on a clutch of 3 eggs, and she recently changed her mind.... Anyhow, went out today and there was a lot of movement and noise from an egg, and also two little pips...

I brought the egg inside, put it in a box on a cloth and put a heat lamp over it.

Is this ok? Should I do something different? What do i do next?

Please some one help me... ASAP.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sphinx]

They'll probably need higher humidity. I think if it were me, I'd wrap a damp paper towel around each egg, making sure it's not too wet so that the chick doesn't drown.


I've never tried hatching without an incubator though, so I'm not so good with this.

Are you sure the broody is DONE DONE and not just stepping away for a few minutes? They sometimes do that.

 

[cyn2008]

No, shes done... Shes been off since yesterday morning... I put a wet paper towel in the box with the egg. Should I still wrap the egg even if it has already pipped?

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Yes, wrap the egg. Take care not to cover the hole where its pipped. Check back often to make sure the towel is still damp. If the egg dries out, it will cause the chick to stick in the egg, and you'll have to either assist with hatching or let it go. I've tried to hatch eggs in a box with a lamp and a dish of water, but ended up having to help them by picking the eggshell off CAREFULLY with a pair of tweezers. Good luck!

 

[lclough1998]

if it were me I think I would put her in a cat crate or a box with just enough room and make her set on the eggs

 

[cyn2008]

so I wrapped the egg in some wet paper towels... I chipped off a small piece of the shell, and the chick is encased in a membrane that has pulled away from the shell... How do I know if this is just the air sac or if it is beginning to shrink wrap? I moistened the membrane with a q-tip. Also, there are red veins still present in the membrane...

Any advice is appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Sphinx]

Sounds like the beginning of shrink wrap, but if you see veins, it's definitely not ready to come out. Keep the temp on the egg around 99-100, and keep thè paper towel damp.

I respectfully disagree with trying to force the chicken on the eggs. I'd be afraid she'd step on them. If she's done, she's done.

 

[cyn2008]

Thanks for all of the great advice!

I wrapped the egg as instructed, and stayed up with it all night to make sure it stayed warm and moist. Started chipping away the shell and outer membranes last night, and this morning I have a chick!

It's belly is quite large, but I'm guessing that is from the yolk absorption? Any input on this?

It is in the brooder now at 95 degrees, drying out... Doesn't move around too smoothly yet.

Lets hope all continues to go well.

 

[lclough1998]

I hadnt thought of the hen stomping on the eggs. I have only had silkies go broody and I have not had that experience. Hope they all make it, cute little bugger. I cant imagine the mom stopping so close to hatch, does that happen very often?