Need Advise - Chick Not Able to Get OUt of Shell

[debbier98]

I have a chick trying to hatch. It's started to hatch 2 days ago, and continues very slowly to try and breakout of her shell but doesn't seem to be able to. She is still alive, she talks, I can see her breathing and moving, but is making real slow progress on getting out of her shell.
So my question is: should I just continue to wait and let her do it on her own? or should I try to help?

 

[WallyG74]

Can you get a pic of the progress? Pip only, partial zip, etc…

 

[debbier98]

Pictures of the hatching chick?

What's the humidity? Are you using separate calibrated thermometers, & hygrometers to monitor conditions in the incubator?

Humidity is 49% and I've used 2 different thermometers.

 

[debbier98]

Too low. I'd increase the humidity to at least 55% - 65%.


Looks abit sticky. Go ahead, & assist, since it's been trying to hatch for a couple days.

For a sticky chick, use either some coconut oil, or water to moisturize the membranes while you remove shell, & membrane off the chick.

Thank you, I'll increase the humidity now, give it about an hour and if no further progress I'll try your assist method. Thank you

 

[KHoward]

I understand what your saying, and I hate to admit it, even to myself. But I just tried to assist it alittle, and what I can see, the membrane is really really stuck to that chick. I moistened the membrane with al little water to see if that will help. I'm hoping for the best, but I fear the worst. I don't as a rule hatch eggs. I found 1 of my hens two days ago hidding in the barn. When I picked her up to check on her, she had 2 eggs under her. 1 had a hole in it. I checked the egg and saw the chick. So I took the egg (as we have a neighbors cat that hangs out around our barn) and put it in the incubator. Yesterday, the mother hatched the other egg, so I put mom and chick in a separate cage to keep them safe. But thank you for your advice. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond, and to others who have responded. I've never seen or even heard of this happening, so didn't know what to do. Thank you

When the membrane is exposed to the air for too long and the chick can't get out, then it get's "shrink wrapped" which is why I intervene. But - ask 10 people and you will get 20 answers

 

[debbier98]

Thank you MysteryChicken. Your response gives me hope. I've never even heard of, let alone seen anything like this. Thank you

 

[Luv Ducks]

Thank you MysteryChicken. Your response gives me hope. I've never even heard of, let alone seen anything like this. Thank

I had a duckling in the same situation last weekend. I ended up assisting and pulling the sticky membrane off of it. It is doing absolutely fine now and is as healthy as can be. Good luck with yours.

 

[KHoward]

I am in the middle of a hatch now, and this morning I had to help one out that started yesterday. The shell was completely gone on one half, but the chick couldn't break the membrane. I helped it out a few hours ago and it's doing great.

In the past, I have also helped them out too early and caused bleeding, so you really need to wait until you feel there is no other option.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Pictures of the hatching chick?

What's the humidity? Are you using separate calibrated thermometers, & hygrometers to monitor conditions in the incubator?

 

[debbier98]

Hi, yes I just took a pic. This is the progress she's made in 2 days.