Pip half way down the egg.. what do I do?

[Anna Leigh]

One of my chicks has pipped halfway down the egg. This is my first hatch and don't know how to proceed? Help would be appreciated, thank you!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

You may just have a low pipper. Some do pip a little low, if it's only just pipped there is nothing to do yet it needs time to absorb yolk and blood vessels. I've had low pipers before and they have zipped and hatched fine. Just monitor it and make a note of what time it pipped. Have a read of the assisted hatching article just incase you feel you need to help https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching

This was one of my low ones and it zipped and hatched fine.

 

[Anna Leigh]

The pip is lower than that..
I've decided to leave it for 24 hours before intervening.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Good luck the assisted hatching link has a section on malpositioned chicks, it is a very good read and very informative.

 

[Anna Leigh]

Good luck the assisted hatching link has a section on malpositioned chicks, it is a very good read and very informative.

Thanks

 

[Anna Leigh]

He's made himself a bigger hole and is cheeping. It's at the completely wrong end but hopefully he makes it out.

 

[Anna Leigh]

Does this membrane look okay to you?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Does this membrane look okay to you?

It's very hard to tell in the picture but it looks like it's turning a yellowish/brown. Is this correct? If so then it is drying and will be glueing to the chick. If that is the case you need to get some warm water. A q-tip or cotton ball and pull the egg out. Wet the membran, increase the pip hole. If there is membrane glued/stuck to the chick, wet it (careful not to get water in the chick's nose). And gently (I use flat nose tweezers) pull it back away from the chick to unstick it. Once you have membrane unstuck and moistened, wet a paper towel, wrap it it around the egg, not covering the pip, and replace it to the bator to let it try to finish the process. Just keep an eye on him.

 

[Anna Leigh]

So it will be safe to come out of the warm humid incubator? I got told that would shrink wrap it.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

So it will be safe to come out of the warm humid incubator? I got told that would shrink wrap it.

If the membrane is drying and glueing the chick, it will not be able to finish the job. If you would feel better you can run the shower in the bathroom get it hot and humid and take it in there to do it. I do my assists right at the bator if I have a problem. That is why you are moistening the membrane and wrapping a wet paper towel around it. To keep it from drying out.