Incubating peachicks

[HStevens]

Hello! I’m incubating chicks. One has already hatched and it only took about 4 hours from when I noticed the pipe. The second egg piped and we’re now going on 36 hours since then. It’s opened enough that I can see it’s breathing. Doesn’t seem to be sticky. Every once in awhile it chirps. I don’t know if we’re at the point where I should help it out of the egg or keep waiting. I know it’s super dangerous to help them but it’s worked so hard to get to this point I hate to see it die. Please advise!

Egg is partly zipped.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC. Have you read this article yet?
Guide to Assisted Hatching for All Poultry

If it were my egg, I would assist, but read that article first.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Hello! I’m incubating chicks. One has already hatched and it only took about 4 hours from when I noticed the pipe. The second egg piped and we’re now going on 36 hours since then. It’s opened enough that I can see it’s breathing. Doesn’t seem to be sticky. Every once in awhile it chirps. I don’t know if we’re at the point where I should help it out of the egg or keep waiting. I know it’s super dangerous to help them but it’s worked so hard to get to this point I hate to see it die. Please advise!

Egg is partly zipped.

If it partially zipped then I would think it needs help. If it were mine, I would assist.

 

[KsKingBee]

Agreed. If it has partially zipped it needs help at this point. Slowly start chipping more of the shell away and look at the inner lining. If it is gray go ahead and proceed to remove the cap so the chick can kick out. If you see blood when you are assisting stop and wait a couple of hours to continue. Once the cap is removed I use a Q-Tip to gently pull the wing out from above its head and then let the chick do the rest. The action of kicking out is an important function of the hatching process.

 

[HStevens]

Thank you all so much for the replies! I decided to assist and I’m glad I did. I actually think that it got shrink wrapped. The membrane wasn’t very moist around the parts the chick had already zipped. Now that the chick has been drying for a couple of hours I noticed there are spots on the wings that look like the membrane dried to it. Any tips or tricks on how to give the chick a bath? I don’t want to stress it out anymore. It’s moving around but hasn’t stood up yet.

 

[KsKingBee]

It will dry and flake off. I usually leave it and the other chicks in the brooder will peck it off.

 

[HStevens]

Welcome to BYC. Have you read this article yet?
Guide to Assisted Hatching for All Poultry

If it were my egg, I would assist, but read that article first.

Thank you! Very informative and helpful

 

[casportpony]

How's the chick doing?

 

[HStevens]

It will dry and flake off. I usually leave it and the other chicks in the brooder will peck it off.

Oh my goodness. So happy to hear. I was STRESSED

 

[HStevens]

How's the chick doing?

It’s doing okay. It can lift its head and move around. It’s not standing quite yet though. It’ll lean back on its legs. I helped it get a drink. I read for weak chicks to feed them scrambled eggs and/or sugar water. What are your thoughts?