Pipped and broke through but hasn't unzipped yet

[Chicken & chirps]

Hi please can anybody help. I have three eggs in my incubator day 21 was Saturday. About 3pm that afternoon one pipped throughout the evening it broke through and made a hole about 1cm wide. However it's now Monday 4pm and it still is no bigger I can see it moving but it just doesn't seem to be trying to get out. In the mean time egg number 2 pipped yesterday afternoon and has hatched in the early hours of this morning. There is no sign of egg number 3 doing anything. But I'm really concerned about the first one. Should I assist?

 

[chicmom]

In my humble opinion, yes. Very very slowly. Tiny fragments at a time, making the pip hole bigger. If the membrane seems very dry, you can drip a few drops of warm water on the inside of the shell as you open it wider, but be sure not to drown the chick. (Just little drops of water, if the membrane seems dry. Best of luck to you! I'm wondering if the little chick is shrink wrapped or just weak.....Let me know how it goes!

 

[Chicken & chirps]

In my humble opinion, yes. Very very slowly. Tiny fragments at a time, making the pip hole bigger. If the membrane seems very dry, you can drip a few drops of warm water on the inside of the shell as you open it wider, but be sure not to drown the chick. (Just little drops of water, if the membrane seems dry. Best of luck to you! I'm wondering if the little chick is shrink wrapped or just weak.....Let me know how it goes!

Thank you I haven't opened the incubator at all and the little chick that has hatched is running around fine. I'm going to wait for hubby to get in which will be any time now and will try to free the poor little might

 

[WVduckchick]

I agree with chicmom, I would also assist at this point, its been plenty long enough.

Chip just the outer shell to begin with, then moisten the membrane with Vaseline or coconut oil. Water is fine just to check for active blood vessels, but if there are any, and the assist has to stop, then Vaseline or coconut oil will stay moist longer than water.
If you see any active blood vessels, try not to rip any. If it looks pretty clear, you can peel the membrane back a little at a time.

Good luck! And congrats on the hatchers!!

And....

 

[chicmom]

I agree with chicmom, I would also assist at this point, its been plenty long enough.

Chip just the outer shell to begin with, then moisten the membrane with Vaseline or coconut oil. Water is fine just to check for active blood vessels, but if there are any, and the assist has to stop, then Vaseline or coconut oil will stay moist longer than water.
If you see any active blood vessels, try not to rip any. If it looks pretty clear, you can peel the membrane back a little at a time.

Good luck! And congrats on the hatchers!!

And....

Hello! I love your advice regarding the Vaseline or coconut oil.....I'll save that in my memory...

 

[Chicken & chirps]

Thank you for your advice. I very slowly chipped the shell and it was extremely dry. I don't think it was shrink wrapped, the shell came away with the membrane. I had got about half way when the poor little might started chirping and kicking so I put a little vasaline on the dry bits and put it back in the incubator. There was no blood at all. Within 1 minute the chick kicked off the remaining shell.

It hasn't stood up yet but it's only been a 15 minutes. I check in a while and keep you updated. Thanks again.

 

[chicmom]

Thank you for your advice. I very slowly chipped the shell and it was extremely dry. I don't think it was shrink wrapped, the shell came away with the membrane. I had got about half way when the poor little might started chirping and kicking so I put a little vasaline on the dry bits and put it back in the incubator. There was no blood at all. Within 1 minute the chick kicked off the remaining shell.

It hasn't stood up yet but it's only been a 15 minutes. I check in a while and keep you updated. Thanks again.

YAY! I hope the little chick perks up and begins eating and drinking soon. Being that the pip happened a few days ago, the yolk may be fully absorbed and used up, so the little chick will need nourishment quickly.

 

[WVduckchick]

Hello! I love your advice regarding the Vaseline or coconut oil.....I'll save that in my memory...

Awesome!!

Thank you for your advice. I very slowly chipped the shell and it was extremely dry. I don't think it was shrink wrapped, the shell came away with the membrane. I had got about half way when the poor little might started chirping and kicking so I put a little vasaline on the dry bits and put it back in the incubator. There was no blood at all. Within 1 minute the chick kicked off the remaining shell.

It hasn't stood up yet but it's only been a 15 minutes. I check in a while and keep you updated. Thanks again.

I almost warned you that it could even push out in your hand!
Great work! It was definitely ready

 

[Chicken & chirps]

So the little chick is very weak and still isn't standing by herself she hasn't eaten or drunk anything yet. So this morning I dripped a few drops of water in her and fed her a few grains of chick crumb. Which she definitely swallowed. She's very noisy so I suppose that's a good sign.
I am very worried about her ..... any advice would be greatly received.