oh no!!!

[Nvazquez]

OK, new to BYC and haven't really learned to navigate it yet.. I'm looking for a answer ASAP!!! I have a egg hatching right now I see first pip ON THE WRONG END!!! Is this ok? Am I safe? Do I just let it go? Egg is only on day 19!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Eggs that pip on the wrong end can hatch on their own, but you'll want to monitor it to make sure the chick isn't running into trouble...and then you can help, if you wish. The chick's a bit early at day 19, so it may still be absorbing its yolk sac and not ready to emerge yet.

This guide will be helpful for assisting: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching.

There are many threads addressing the topic, here are a couple you may find useful:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/532110/chick-pipped-at-the-wrong-end-what-do-i-do

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/857670/chick-pipped-wrong-end

Tagging @lazy gardener , who has advised on one of the threads above. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[Nvazquez]

Should it look like the membrane is drying out Food? I can see it's really kicking around in there but not unzipping at all..

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Is the membrane brown and dry? A dry membrane means there's risk of the chick being shrinkwrapped and not being able to get out. How's the humidity in your incubator?

 

[Nvazquez]

A little brown and humidity is 76% temp at 100! A part of the shell is gone so I can see it moving but pushing and pushing.. The only hole is the little micro hole from 1st pip

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

The humidity's high enough...how long since it pipped? I'm guessing it just needs more time to zip.

 

[Nvazquez]

pip was at 7am

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

As a general rule, I'd wait at least 12 hours and if no progress, follow Sally Sunshine's guide to assisting a malpositioned chick. You'll have to use your best judgment about if the chick really does need help; if it isn't progressing at all or if the membrane looks dry are valid reasons to assist. With an early hatcher, though, it still may need time to absorb the yolk.

Personally, if I was worried about a chick, particularly a malpositioned chick, I'd assist it even if it ultimately didn't survive. Early on, I waited too long to assist and lost chicks that couldn't get out for one reason or another. I'm much more "hands on" now, but I try to give the chick every chance to get out on its own before I help out.

 

[Nvazquez]

Thanks Food! Right now I'm just really watching and letting it have plenty of time! I will keep you updated.. Hope soon I will have a good, healthy Sumatra! Just trying to be patient is the problem, LOL!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

I know what you mean.

Hoping you have a good hatch, too! Looking forward to an update.