My hen abandoned her clutch! What should I do?

[DanielleT]

We just found this about 20 minutes ago!!! I was skeptical that they would survive with just a heat lamp and humidifier, but I guess it worked!!!!

It's a pipped egg (picture might be hard to see)

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

It's a pipped egg (picture might be hard to see)

Doesn't look pipped to me...looks like there is a long crack. Unless it's something else.

 

[LadyCluck77]

Hi KindaFarmGirl,
Your set up looks good, it's very awesome that you are willing to give it a try improvising.
Try placing a warm, slightly damp paper towel over your clutch of eggs, just to add some moisture.
When they initially pip, the hole in the egg can lose moisture quickly and the chick has a harder time getting out if it gets too dry.
Are you hearing any cheering from the chick ?

 

[LadyCluck77]

Cheeping ** autocorrect changed it...

 

[DanielleT]

Cheeping ** autocorrect changed it...

No :-( I have a damp paper towel under it but I'll add another one on top.

 

[DanielleT]

I think it needs help, but I don't want to hurt it. The membrane is very tough. It has cracked the shell completely around the top of the egg and down the sides but the membrane won't rupture. If I break the membrane for it, will it be OK?

 

[DanielleT]

No :-( I have a damp paper towel under it but I'll add another one on top.

I can hear peeping now.

 

[auroaSfarm]

Awesome just let them hatch don't assist it may take a while for them to fully hatch

 

[DanielleT]

Is it "normal" that the shell is completely cracked but the membrane is still in tact? I have it covered with a damp papertowel, but that also drops the temperature of the egg :-(

 

[auroaSfarm]

Is the membrane dry?