Need help and fast!!! Update:New problem!

[PippyChicken]

We have a chicken that has been trying to hatch for about 1 day and a half and he is cracked a bunch!!!! He is trying to hatch but he can't!Should I help him or not??

 

[ChickBond 007]

The decision to "help" or not is always a difficult one. Many believe that the struggle to hatch is required for the chick's strength. I have helped many now, and will tell you that it doesn't always turn out well. But, if it has been 24 hours with no progress, and it were my egg in my incubator, I would help.
I would begin with warm water, a small piece of paper towel, and tweezers. Slowly pick at the shell only (not membrane) and try to "zip" around the shell. IF you see blood, STOP! and wrap the warm wet paper towel over the membrane and place back in the bator. Try again in an hour or so.
If the membrane is sticky/stuck to the chick, apply small drops of warm water to the membrane to help elasticity.
Good luck.

 

[ChickBond 007]

Also, do not try to pull the chick completely out. Just attempt to zip the top off and place back into the bator. Let the chick come out by itself. Keep it warm, if it takes too long- go back to the bator.

 

[PippyChicken]

Ok Thank you so much!!!! I am going to get my Mom to help me later.We have had 5 successfull hatches so I was a worried about this one....

 

[zowieyellowflame]

Be very careful, go very slow. My husband helped with the side of a large nail. Again, the SIDE of a large nail and gently pressed along the area where the chick would zip. I am not an expert, but do you know what I mean when I say where he zips? It seemed to speed things up for him. Another chick was in severe distress and I picked a small piece of shell off only to cause him to bleed a bit. I lost a lot of sleep and thought I lost a chick. As it turns out, he is just fine. I agree with 2009NewChickMom, don't pull back on the membrane. That is not helping the chick, only helping your own anxiety. All healthy chicks should be able to push through the membrane!
One other thing, we had a chick in an incubator all alone. Before I left for work one day, he vigorously attempted to get out, to the point that I thought he would be out minutes after I left for work. As it turned out, he relaxed all day and when my husband got home, he tried to get out and got out successfully. I really think they respond to voices. Just my thought. I am new at this too.

 

[PippyChicken]

Ok so we helped him and the problem was that the egg had dried on to him the membrane is still attatched to him and it is bleeding a little bit and his head is kinda twisted other than that he is doing good.Oh and he is really dry what am I supposed to do about the dryness?

 

[jenni2142]

moisten a paper towel or something and add just a little moisture. I used a long q-tip on mine and gently wiped along where I thought it needed but mine was half out of the membrane. If yours is still in the membrane then lay the warm wet paper towel over it for a bit to moisten it.

 

[PippyChicken]

Ok thanks! There is a new problem!! He has foot problems! They are sort of curled up like when he was in the egg.He can walk but not very well...

 

[crtrlovr]

Give it some time...

 

[ChooksChick]

Quote:
This can actually go away after they've rested for a day. It can be from temperature changes in incubation, or it can be from a chick being too tight in its shell.

If not better after 24 hours, check this thread (there are lots of others, too) for info on how to make a little orthopedic shoe for your chick.

It did wonders on mine!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=200171