Is it ever ok to help the baby out of the egg?

[PunkinPeep]

I've never hatched eggs with an incubator, but i'm starting to relate to some of the posts i've read, dying to help struggling babies out of their eggs.

I have a broody mama who's hatching right now.

The first baby came out last night or early this morning; there's only one other egg, which was pipped this morning, just barely. I just checked, and it looks like the mama has helped by taking off almost all of the outside shell, but the baby is still struggling inside the membrane. Is it ever ok for me to help? I'm resisting the urge so far.

Oh, and i think this is day 20.

 

[herfrds]

The only time I have helped is the membrane dried out and was stuck to the chick and it could not get out of the shell.
I would just leave it alone for now.

If you decide to help and tear the membrane the chick can bleed to death. Also the yolk may not be absorbed into the chicks belly yet.

 

[PunkinPeep]

o.k. thanks.

i'll see if i can keep my hands in my lap.

 

[fancbrd4me02]

I help if the membrane gets dried out, and the chick gets stuck to the membrane. (this can happen if he chick is slow to hatch and/or the humidity is too low.

 

[debilorrah]

Since you have it with a broody bird, I would leave it alone. Mama knows what she is doing.

 

[Britney]

Since you have it with a broody bird, I would leave it alone. Mama knows what she is doing.​

 

[PunkinPeep]

I did what y'all said, and then a couple of hours ago - probably 3 hours ago, i went out to check on them, and the chicken wire barrier on the nest box had failed, and the mama and the already-hatched chick were on the ground, while the still-hatching chick was in the nest box getting cold. I'm so glad i went out there!

It looked like the membrane was sticking to the baby, so i carefully peeled it back and took off everything except the piece that was still attached to the chick.

I looked again about an hour ago, and she seems to be o.k. - still dragging around the shell, but o.k.....oh, and i got mama and both babies back together. For a minute, i thought i was going to have to break out the heat lamp and brood her myself.

Just thought i'd let y'all know. I'm so glad i went out when i did.

Thanks a bunch for your advice!