OMG Help!!!!

[krstms]

I did a complete no-no and helped a chick try to come out of it's shell. It pipped at around 6:30 this morning and hadnt made much progress. It's membrane was really white and seemed to be shrink-wrapped to him so I tried to help him out of it a little. I carefully cut around it and there was no blood or anything. Then when he came free of part of his egg I saw that his umbilical cord was still stuck to it and he hadnt absorbed all of his yolk. It's still attached now. I tried to put him back in the egg somewhat and wrapped a warm wash rag around him where he cant move very much. Please does any one have any ideas on how to save him. So far he's still attached and acts o.k. What the heck do I do? Someone please help.

 

[SallyF]

I can't help, because I always let a broody hen hatch, so this post will bump you back to the top. You might try doing a search on "helping chicks hatch" for something like that and maybe you'll find some ideas to help. Good luck!

 

[the simple life]

I think all you can do at this point is just leave him alone if he hasn't absorbed his yolk sak.
If he had then I would tell you to go ahead and finish pulling the shell apart if he is shrink wrapped.
Just keep an eye on it.

 

[M@M@2four]

Put him back in the bator and the warm wet wash cloth is good--I wouldn't cover him though--just lay him on it. Turn out the lights so he mainly sleeps--you don't want him kicking and tearing the sac. Keep us posted and don't beat yourself up...many of us have been there!

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Yep, just let him be. Usually they will absorb the yolk in a day or so. I usually snip the cord if it is very thin and a bit dried looking. I don't want them flopping and the heavy shell hurting them.
Keep it warm and preferably alone, but not necessary. When he is looking better, I give mine a warm shower to help everything that might be stuck to unstick. Then I gently towel dry and sometimes blow dry. Put them back in the bator until they are doing well and standing up.
You may have to take him out once in awhile to give him a drink.

 

[neferset]

What everyone says. If you can put him in his shell still into a carton in the bator, so much better. He won't be able to climb out until he is strong enough and by then the yolk should be absorbed.

 

[krstms]

Well the wash rag mustve worked at least to some degree. I had wrapped him with his bottom still stuck in the shell in a washrag(except his head) Luckily he was tired and just slept. Then a few minutes ago he was tweeting really loud and when I checked he was trying to kick the washrag off so I gave him a look and he had absorbed all of his yolk sac.

The only thing in the bottom of the shell was a little of the poo like stuff that's normal. His umbilical area was still protruding a little but much better so I put a bandaid over it and let him go. He's up trying to walk around in the incubator and seems to be doing o.k. for now. I'll let you know how he does. Thanks a bunch for your responses. I really appreciate it.


Oh I forgot to mention that he had also kicked the umbilical cord and shell off on his own too.

 

[evonne]

WooT!!!!!!!

!!!!go chickie go!!!!!

 

[mayapooh]

Yay baby!!!

 

[The Sheriff]

Great news!