Is this hatching chick ok?? *Pics*

[ChelseaC]

Is this how a chick normally looks while hatching? The reason the incubator is open is because I chipped away a tiny bit of shell earlier and have been moistening the membrane..

 

[QueenMisha]

The opening is pretty large... typical hatching wouldn't see this size hole, the chick should create a thin break all the way around the shell and membrane, then push the sides apart.

Interfering, including chipping the shell or moving the egg, should not happen in any way until at least 24 hours after pipping, and only if the chick appears to be struggling, weakening, or malpositioned in some way. I understand that it's difficult to leave the eggs be, but assisted hatching should only be done when it is absolutely necessitated.

Bacitracin ointment is the best thing to use to keep the membrane moist.

 

[ChelseaC]

The opening is pretty large... typical hatching wouldn't see this size hole, the chick should create a thin break all the way around the shell and membrane, then push the sides apart.

Interfering, including chipping the shell or moving the egg, should not happen in any way until at least 24 hours after pipping, and only if the chick appears to be struggling, weakening, or malpositioned in some way. I understand that it's difficult to leave the eggs be, but assisted hatching should only be done when it is absolutely necessitated.

Bacitracin ointment is the best thing to use to keep the membrane moist.

I will absolutely be leaving the chick from here on, I panicked earlier after watching the chick for 7 hours making no progress..but as I have already opened the shell this much, do you think the chick can survive?? It is evening here and I don't have any Bacitracin ointment, should i continue to wet the membrane?

 

[QueenMisha]

I have had chicks with this kind of issue hatch, although I have also had some fail to survive... I too have panicked in the past... everybody does it at some point.

Keep the humidity high, moisten it every 30-60 minutes, but definitely avoid touching it and keep the incubator closed except for moistening. I also recommend turning the temperature down to 96-97 degrees, high humidity + high temp is bad, and 96-97 is the best temp for hatching.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I will absolutely be leaving the chick from here on, I panicked earlier after watching the chick for 7 hours making no progress..but as I have already opened the shell this much, do you think the chick can survive?? It is evening here and I don't have any Bacitracin ointment, should i continue to wet the membrane?

7 hours is nothing. Some chicks do go from pip to zip in a matter of a few hours, but most take longer. Mine average from 12-18 hours. I've had early zippers at 5 hours and later zippers at 21 hours. I try not to interfere until 18 hours and then only enough to widen the pip hole and check on positioning. As long as the chick is positioned right I leave them until 24 and then I will start an assisted hatch. Yes, as long as the humidity stays up in the incubator and the inner membrane does not dry up around the chick (and there is no bleeding from the vessels in the membrane) he has a good chance of making it.

After a chick pips externally lots of things are happening that we don't see. Their lungs are getting stronger as they learn to breath the outside air, sometimes a chick may still have unabsorbed yolk and are woking on absorption, but most importantly the vascular system between the chick and egg is starting to shut down. Any help before this completely happens is a risk of causing a chick to bleed out. Sometimes this process takes many hours and is why the chick hasn't "progressed"- because nature isn't finished.

In cases where I do an assisted hatch or start an assisted hatch and have an open area with as much exposed membrane/chick as you have there, I wrap a (not dripping wet) wet paper towel around the back of the egg. This helps to keep moisture around the egg and membranes. Many people use the bacitracin and it's great to keep moisture to the membrane, but it's not vital. I never use it on membranes, I keep them moist when needed by a wet q-tip.

Good luck with the chick and hope to hear good news.

 

[ChelseaC]

Thanks for your help guys! I appreciated your advice and this little chick popped out of its shell while we were asleep

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Thanks for your help guys! I appreciated your advice and this little chick popped out of its shell while we were asleep

That's great!! Congrats!