Is this chick stuck?

[Baker5]

I’m on day 21 and have an egg that pipped 14 hours ago. I’m concerned because it’s beak seems to be “stuck” in its pip hole with no progress. It has not retracted it, but I see movement and hear chirps so it’s still alive. It seems to be pipped away from the drawn down air cell if that makes a difference. As background, these were shipped eggs and it had a huge saddle down its side. It was also a very long narrow oblong shape of an egg if that makes any difference. Should I assist? If so what is the least interference way to start? Widen its pip hole? Help it unzip? This is my second time incubating so I’m still a newbie, and I don’t want to interfere too much because last time I did too early and it did not survive. How long can it stay like this until it’s in trouble?

 

[knowvagale]

I, too, am a newbie, but I do know that eggs often take 24 hours from pip to hatch, and I would not recommend helping before then. As long as he can breath, he should be ok for now. You might want to consider helping if he hasn't made any progress in another 10 hours. Also make sure to keep the humidity up to prevent shrink wrapping. Hope this helps!

 

[Knighstar679]

If your chick didn't pip into the air cell first but went straight through to the outside it also usually takes longer for them to start zipping. If you notice that it starts slowing down or it has stopped making a yawning or chewing motion, then i would start with widening the opening around the pip very slowly. This way you can see whats going on in there.