Immediate Help

[GambleFamilyHomestead]

I meant to say really thick veins. Is that good or bad?

 

[WVduckchick]

Thick veins?

Can you post a new pic?

 

[007Sean]

Any progress or changes?

I hate to disagree with Sean, but I always moisten the inner membrane during assists. (I hatch call ducklings, and they are almost 100% assisted hatches)
I prefer Vaseline for longer periods of waiting, but I use coconut oil also, depending on the situation.

If it’s still alive, I’ll try to explain what I would do from the last pic.

I'm glad you disagree with me @WVduckchick on the oiling the membrane. I have never encountered this situation before so I don't know if it would hurt the chick or not...the thicker outer membrane I can see applying oil to it to keep moist but the inner membrane is actually touching the chick, I just thought that it would be easier to either introduce bacteria to the chick or kill it by applying oil to it. Thanks for letting me know it's ok, and that you have done this before with your own eggs.

 

[GambleFamilyHomestead]

If you look at the previous pic and zoom in they are there.

 

[casportpony]

@WVduckchick ,

 

[WVduckchick]

That one does look pretty strong. The thin ones are fairly residual and won’t totally disappear, but that big one needs to thin out some more.

 

[WVduckchick]

I'm glad you disagree with me @WVduckchick on the oiling the membrane. I have never encountered this situation before so I don't know if it would hurt the chick or not...the thicker outer membrane I can see applying oil to it to keep moist but the inner membrane is actually touching the chick, I just thought that it would be easier to either introduce bacteria to the chick or kill it by applying oil to it. Thanks for letting me know it's ok, and that you have done this before with your own eggs.

Inside against the chick usually stays pretty moist from the chick and the fluid still in the shell. Oiling it keeps it from getting solid from the outside and crusting over.

The reason I use both Vaseline and coconut oil (at different times) is the Vaseline seems to stay moist longer for like overnights, if I’m going to try to get some sleep, or if I can’t assist for several hours. The coconut oil is more natural and a bit more pliable, but it turns crusty faster if you don’t keep up with it every couple of hours.

 

[007Sean]

Inside against the chick usually stays pretty moist from the chick and the fluid still in the shell. Oiling it keeps it from getting solid from the outside and crusting over.

The reason I use both Vaseline and coconut oil (at different times) is the Vaseline seems to stay moist longer for like overnights, if I’m going to try to get some sleep, or if I can’t assist for several hours. The coconut oil is more natural and a bit more pliable, but it turns crusty faster if you don’t keep up with it every couple of hours.

I've assisted many chicks before but not one that has had that much shell and outer membrane removed. I have used coconut oil on the outer membrane many times but never on the inner membrane. I usually 'peel' it back, like you said, "like a trash can bag" but with that much exposed I would be hesitant to do that and risk the chick drying out. Usually they are further along then this one, I only assist if it's absolutely inevitable. This one is definitely a challenge.

 

[WVduckchick]

The biggest challenge is that it wasn’t internally pipped yet, and she thought it was dead and opened it. Most of these don’t make it, but in my mind, it’s always worth a shot. As long as they are prepared to do the hard part if it goes badly.

 

[007Sean]

The biggest challenge is that it wasn’t internally pipped yet, and she thought it was dead and opened it. Most of these don’t make it, but in my mind, it’s always worth a shot. As long as they are prepared to do the hard part if it goes badly.

Totally agree.