Miracle hatch...when do we help?

[Yukidongo]

Two and a half days ago, the incubator got dumped. Long story. I lost mandarin eggs, and several Sebastopol eggs. Two were to hatch, and one was definitely killed. The other's egg looked like a jigsaw puzzle, but it did not hemorrhage as the other one, so I wrapped it on a paper towel, moistened that with very warm water, and stuck it in the incubator. I kept it moist, and worried the humidity was too high, but trying to keep the egg from drying out. I candled it, and each time saw movement. Now, it's trying to hatch. It cannot unzip like it normally would, because the shell is broken. It is "chirping" or whistling. It has its beak out. The membrane where it is through is tough, and now slightly yellow. I have pix. I just can't lose this little thing after what it's been through to get here.When do I help? I really honestly believe the membranes will be too toughened to allow him out.

 

[SimplyLivinthatFarmLife]

I experienced something very similar years ago while hatching eggs at school. My friend and I used tweezers and helped the little guy out of his shell- not sure if we were supposed to do that, but he appeared very helpless.

 

[Yukidongo]

He's resting, right now, but able to move his mouth. Breathing. Too many little blood vessels to take him out, yet.i am worried about tough membranes when he's ready. He/she is pushing with the head, but there are too many bleeders.

 

[venymae]

Wait for the bleeder to go away, he may also be absorbing yolk still. WIth chicks we usually wait 24 hours from the external pip before helping. I would go by that.

 

[JaeG]

You could use coconut oil, olive oil or vaseline on the membrane to keep it moist. Water ends up dehydrating it, though if it's been exposed to air, no matter how high the humidity it does start to shrink and toughen. Your little one will need help but as venymae said you can't do anything until the veins have receeded. And if he looks like he's gasping and 'smacking his lips' (beak) then he's still absorbing the yolk. You'll just have to keep an eye on him and step in when you feel the time is right. It's a difficult judgement call to make but he'll definitely need help by the sounds of that membrane. I've got my fingers crossed for you!

 

[Yukidongo]

• 
  
  
  The egg was in horrible shape. . The next picture is the "now" picture.

 

[Yukidongo]

You could use coconut oil, olive oil or vaseline on the membrane to keep it moist. Water ends up dehydrating it, though if it's been exposed to air, no matter how high the humidity it does start to shrink and toughen. Your little one will need help but as venymae said you can't do anything until the veins have receeded. And if he looks like he's gasping and 'smacking his lips' (beak) then he's still absorbing the yolk. You'll just have to keep an eye on him and step in when you feel the time is right. It's a difficult judgement call to make but he'll definitely need help by the sounds of that membrane. I've got my fingers crossed for you!

He's still absorbing yolk. And, still, too many blood vessels. Thank you for that information about the lip smacking. He remains "pink". And I'm just watching.

 

[Yukidongo]

Gosling resting, moving, and stretching it's head up, and sometimes forward. Still smacking his lips. Worried wing is "stuck" to his bill. Must remedy if it is. Pix follow.

 

[Yukidongo]

 

[Miss Lydia]

Anyway you can put a tiny amt of coconut oil there keeping it out of the nares and see if that helps loosen the wing. But you may have to just wait till after hatch. Looks to be some blood vessels still?