Should I assist hatch? Abandoned egg.

[lbfdap21]

Hi all! My red bourbon hen abandoned some of her eggs after the first half hatched. One had pipped. I found it yesterday morning and tried putting it back under mama. She would sit on it for a little while and then abandon it again.

I brought the egg inside just now and have it set up on a heat pad in a steamy bathroom. Should I assist the hatch? The membrane has started to turn brown. It is still moving and I heard a few peeps when I first carried it inside

 

[Maddcatter]

I think you're at the possibly shrink wrapping stage. I would probably help with tweezers and oil.
Here is a really good article about assisting with hatches.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching.64660/

 

[Saveria]

Do you have an incubator?

 

[lbfdap21]

I don’t have an incubator. I carefully peeled away shell. This is what the chick looks like at this point. Do I stop and wait or keep going?

 

[lbfdap21]

I do see some blood but it does look like the inner membrane has starting “shrink wrapping” @Saveria @Maddcatter

 

[Maddcatter]

I don’t have an incubator. I carefully peeled away shell. This is what the chick looks like at this point. Do I stop and wait or keep going?

I can't tell if the head is there or not?

If you see blood, stop. Wet down the membrane with oil, but leave the shell alone. The blood will be absorbed when the chick is ready to come out.

 

[casportpony]

I do see some blood but it does look like the inner membrane has starting “shrink wrapping” @Saveria @Maddcatter

Can you moisten this area with some Neosporin and take new pictures?

 

[Maddcatter]

Can you moisten this area with some Neosporin and take new pictures?
View attachment 3506384

Neosporin! Thank you! I couldn't think of the other thing that wasn't oil!

 

[casportpony]

Neosporin! Thank you! I couldn't think of the other thing that wasn't oil!

I think oil would be fine too!

 

[lbfdap21]

I used oil to moisten