I think I want to cry :(

[colleensstuff]

Last weekend I had eggs hatching. I heard peeping and kept looking to see which egg the noise was coming from. Then I realized it was coming from the incubator next to the hatcher. When I had candled and checked the dates on the eggs to move then to the hatcher, I must have put two back into the turner instead of the hatcher. Wouldn't you know the two eggs that had been in the turner the whole time hatched quicker and easier after I moved them to the hatcher than the ones the had been laid on their sides with higher humidity. I think yours will be fine.

 

[ChickenPox]

I've had them hatch fine in the turner, with it turning, in a styrofoam Hovabator, WITH humidity only 25%!

So they should be fine!

Good luck! And don't beat yourself up, it happens!

 

[hd_darcy]

LOVE, LOVE LOVE hearing these success stories!

Well, the good news is that one of the eggs (the one that was chirping) has made some progress! There is about a 1/2 inch zip now in the egg. However, I haven't seen movement or heard any chirping since. There was the one other egg that had pipped, but now nothing.. and then I thought I saw movement in a thrid egg, but could be wrong. I am so hoping/praying I get at least two little chicks! Tomorrow is officially day 21.

Oh, How/when do you know that the chick got "shrink-wrapped"? That sounds so sad!!

Thanks again

 

[PoultryPeeps]

Usually if you see that the chick has pipped, but they don't make any progress after that (for maybe a day) then they may be shrink wrapped. This just means that the inner membrane has dried and the chick is stuck to it. I have helped out many many shrink wrapped chicks. I take the whole egg out and get the water in the sink running at a very warm temp. I start pulling off small pieces of the egg shell. Then you can see the inner membrane. Sometimes the membrane is so stuck to the chick that you have wet it over and over and kind of rub it off the feathers. I let the water run over the whole chick/egg, just make sure the beak/head is well out of the water, or you can easily drown it. I let the water run over the chick while I get all the membrane off. Then dry it quickly in a towel and put back in the hatcher to dry & fluff. Hope that helps!

 

[hd_darcy]

Okay, so far it doesn't look good

It's been nearly 24 hours since I noticed the pipped eggs (is that the right terminology). It seems that one zipped maybe 1/2 inch last night, but nothing more today. So, should I wait until morning to possibly help them? I would like to give it a shot as a last resort. My next question would be - do I take all three out at once so I'm only opening the incubator once to not disturb the others, or should I leave them in there and pull one out at a time?

So bummed

 

[ChestnutRidge]

Quote:
If you're planning to help, I wouldn't wait any longer. I've had to help a few, and those who waited longer had a tougher recovery.

Run a hot shower to steam the bathroom, fill the sink with warm water, and ready some q-tip and cotton balls. Take it out and carry it in a warm washcloth. Use tweezers to "pip" the shell, but do not break the membrane just beneath it. Pinch bits of shell with the tweezers around the egg. Use a q-tip or cotton balls to moisten the membrane, and then tear the membrane and remove the top of the shell. If there is blood, stop and put the chick back in the incubator. If the chick needs more help, gently turn the shell to slide it into your hand. If it is still attached by the umbilical cord, don't force it out. It helps to have another person with you douse just the body with warm water, not the head. Use q-tips to wipe the gunk off of its body. Feed it some water with Sav-a-Chick if you have it before returning it to the incubator.

I'm not an expert, but this is what was recommended to me and it worked out well. Good luck.

Edited to add pictures - My worst case was...
Stuck:

After 1st intervention, still attached to egg:

Cleaned again and given sav-a-chick water:

2 weeks old: