Malpositioned chick trying to hatch. What do I do?

[JekkaLynn]

My poor chick missed the air cell big time! What can I do to make sure it has the best chance if hatching? The shell pieces got knocked off by the already hatched chick and a large piece of membrane is showing. Should I put a bit of vaseline on to keep ot from getting too dry?

((Uh oh I had a typo that was a bad word and it got *ed. I hope I don't get in trouble))

 

[chickengeorgeto]

My poor chick missed the air cell big time! What can I do to make sure it has the best chance if hatching? The shell pieces got knocked off by the already hatched chick and a large piece of membrane is showing. Should I put a bit of vaseline on to keep ot from getting too dry?

No. Vaseline will only slick down the peep's fluff and chicks depend on their fluff being fluffy to trap and retain their body heat. Maybe use a tiny paint brush like the ones that comes in Paint By the Numbers kit. Moisten the brush with warm water and very, very gently painting on a tiny amount of water on the membrane may help.

As for myself I would do nothing, because hatching, at least in my eyes is a chick's first test to see if it is healthy and has the right stuff to survive. There are too many diseases that a chick can catch on its own without me having to help weakling chicks into the world. But it is your bird or your egg so do as you see best.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

My poor chick missed the air cell big time! What can I do to make sure it has the best chance if hatching? The shell pieces got knocked off by the already hatched chick and a large piece of membrane is showing. Should I put a bit of vaseline on to keep ot from getting too dry?

((Uh oh I had a typo that was a bad word and it got *ed. I hope I don't get in trouble))

.

No I would not put Vaseline on the membrane that is how the oxygen gets into the egg and carbon dioxide out. I personally would leave the chick for the now make sure your humidity is up that should keep the membrane moist for now. Make a note of when it pipped and I would give the assisted hatching a good read before you decide to assist or not. I'm sorry but only you can make the decision on weather to help or not. I'm generally of the thinking if it's too weak to hatch on its own then generally they are weak chicks or die soon after. But then again they have Ben known to pip wrong end and be fine. Whatever you decide good luck.http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching

 

[JekkaLynn]

I read the assisted hatching thread and it talked about using water or antibacterial ointment to keep it moist so it doesn't become to dry. There is a whole for it to breath through. I just considered using the vaseline because I had to leave home for a few hours and the guide said water had to be reapplied every two hours but ointment would last longer.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

I'm not sure then I think I would rather leave it than put Vaseline on. Because it's oil based would it not just melt with the heat of the incubator?

 

[JekkaLynn]

I just used warm water on it. After 12 hours from when it pipped if it is still making no progress I will take another look at it.

 

[JekkaLynn]

It is chipping away more shell but not in a line.
It is more in a circle as if it can't turn it's head.
I will wait aanother couple hours before helping it since it is still making it's whole bigger.