I went out this morning to feed and water my chickens. I went to where my broody hen was and she came off to get a drink of water I noticed one of the eggs was cracked not just cracked by part of it on the top was cracked and had fallen off. I am only on day 19 and there is still the white membrance on the chick it looks dry i can see the chick moving inside the membraine. What do I do is the chick hatching? I thought then they cracked the shell they also broke through the membrane what do i do? Only my secound hatch under my broody hen and first time no problems.
I agree with MP......let mother nature take care of it. I'm surprised she came off the nest. Ususally the last 2 or 3 days you can't get them to budge for nothing.
She was the same last time hatched out 3 eggs out of 4. She always comes off for a drink but dosen't stay off long. Just long enough for a drink. Then she is right back to that nest. So i should leave it be?
I had to go to town and do some things when i came home i checked again the shell is completly off but the membrane is still coving the chick I can see it moving and its dried the membrane that is. I see a small slit on the side looks kinda bloody not bleeding just looks bloody on the slit on the side. Should i just leave it be or try to help it? None of the other eggs are even trying to hatch yet its only day 19.
I would leave it alone and let mother nature and the hen take care of it. If the membrane tear looks a little bloody the chick is not ready to come out.