SHOULD I HELP!?? Chick has been piping over 48 hours?

[Kennyhasquails]

I have an quail egg that just seems to not want to hatch. It’s been piping over 48 hours and I’m worried that it can’t get out. I know the chick inside is still alive, and pretty active because I can see it through the hole. I know assistance is a last resort but I’m getting worried. I don’t want the air from the incubator to dry it up. I even tried playing chick sounds to it, to see if it would encourage it. (It kinda worked) also it is day 22.

 

[Kennyhasquails]

She’s resting now. I gave her some sugar in water. I’m feeling hopeful.

 

[Kennyhasquails]

Update. I’ve gotten up periodically through the night to check on her and damped the membrane. She seems ready to come out but the blood vessels are still deep red but seem thinner. I don’t want to act too hastily. She also seems like she’s in a position where she is able to wiggle out now.

 

[Kennyhasquails]

I decided to wait another few hours. I’ll keep everybody updated.

 

[ShannonR]

I've done both. Helped and not helped. I have found the majority of the time helping hurts more than it helps. Even if a live chick makes it out, it may not be viable to the outside world or there may be other problems such as malformations. After hatching for years, I now leave it to nature. Survival of the fittest. It sounds harsh, but I think nature knows best.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I think I'll stick with ordering day-olds. The perils of hatching are too scary for me! Y'all are so brave that do it!

 

[Lunarpuppy]

Hi. I don’t actually know— but I see no one is answering you and I’m feeling your pain. Did you look on YouTube? I’ve seen people “helping” a little guy out— keeping it wet and warm and not tugging on the shell... good luck.

 

[Kennyhasquails]

Any progress?

Yeah, I decided it needed assistance, so I broke its cap and some outer membrane. It’s been an hour and it’s still not pushing its way out but it’s moving a bit

 

[Kennyhasquails]

You should read the article under incubating and hatching by?? Susan ???? It helped me with mine today. The little guy did in fact need help. Very little I might add.

Look under articles for...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching.64660/


Good luck and keep us updated.

Thank you! That’s really helpful. I’m still not sure if I should assist further though.

 

[Kennyhasquails]

I have an quail egg that just seems to not want to hatch. It’s been piping over 48 hours and I’m worried that it can’t get out. I know the chick inside is still alive, and pretty active because I can see it through the hole. I know assistance is a last resort but I’m getting worried. I don’t want the air from the incubator to dry it up. I even tried playing chick sounds to it, to see if it would encourage it. (It kinda worked) also it is day 22.

I’m still not 100% sure if I should break the outer membrane. I didn’t see any blood vessels.