Shrink wrapped chick-any advice?

[Haloclimb]

This was the first time I used my new JN8-48 incubator, and sadly I've run into humidity problems ): I had only set two eggs, both of which never pipped internally-the one tried to pip and hit a blood vessel and died in the shell, while the other I opened up slighty and saw it was shrinkwrapped so I tried to help.
BUT I'mnot sure if it was ready as it bled quite a bit when I made a small opening in the membrane for it to breathe! I honestly though it was dead, but surprisngly it's still going 7 hours later. But now I'm worried- is it not ready? The chick's already 2-3 days overdue to hatch, so I would have thought all the blood vessels would be dried up by now.
I've peeled the membrane back a bit further by the head and the chick started peeping at that, but how much more should I try to help? Is there any way to be able to see any blood vessels in the membrane?
Any advice on shrink-wrapped chicks would be very much appriciated! Thank you!

 

[Fancychooklady]

I have a JN8-48 too. I know it's hard but I found that its best not to interfere. I only had a 50% hatch rate. Most of the babes that I did help didn't survive. It was the larger chicks, buff and light sussex that I had most problems with. They were fully formed but hadn't absorbed all of the yolk.
All that being said, if you really want to help, try soaking some paper towel in water and put it under the eggs or mist the eggs with water. Good luck,

it's always hard to see the little ones in trouble!

 

[Haloclimb]

See,thats what I'm most worried about-that the yolk hasn't been absorbed! If there any way to tell when it's just the top of the chick?

 

[sumi]

Keep the humidity high, 65% + and wait. If there was a lot of blood and the chick didn't pip internally (through the membrane, into the air sac) is not ready to come out yet. DON'T peel back anymore of the membrane now. What you can do is take an ear bud and wet the membrane, but be careful you don't get water on the chick's beak and nostrils, you could drown it. Keep the humidity up, so it doesn't dry out and get shrink wrapped and wait for it to absorb the blood and the yolk sac. This could take up to 24 hours, so don't rush and don't stress. What that chick needs now is moisture and time. So as long as you keep it damp and give it time you can save it, O.K?

In the meantime, read through this article carefully and take notes:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching

It explains the hatching process very well and will tell you what to do if needed. But don't intervene unless it's clear that the chick is in trouble and is not able to hatch by itself.

If the chicks are overdue to hatch it could be that the temperature in the incubator was too low at some point. What was your temperature in there?

 

[Haloclimb]

Keep the humidity high, 65% + and wait. If there was a lot of blood and the chick didn't pip internally (through the membrane, into the air sac) is not ready to come out yet. DON'T peel back anymore of the membrane now. What you can do is take an ear bud and wet the membrane, but be careful you don't get water on the chick's beak and nostrils, you could drown it. Keep the humidity up, so it doesn't dry out and get shrink wrapped and wait for it to absorb the blood and the yolk sac. This could take up to 24 hours, so don't rush and don't stress. What that chick needs now is moisture and time. So as long as you keep it damp and give it time you can save it, O.K?

In the meantime, read through this article carefully and take notes:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching

It explains the hatching process very well and will tell you what to do if needed. But don't intervene unless it's clear that the chick is in trouble and is not able to hatch by itself.

If the chicks are overdue to hatch it could be that the temperature in the incubator was too low at some point. What was your temperature in there?

That link is really good, thank you! I'll leave the chick alone then, it's breathing and struggling fine but there are still visable blood vessels so it obviously still needs more time. Just out of curiosity, how many days can the yolk last for?
I'll definetly place the egg in a warm damp tissue though, it sounds like a good idea!
EDIT: Oh, and temperature was around the 37C mark but it has varied +/-1 degree at time. It's in the most stable room of the house, but the outside temperature has gone between 20C and 40C during their incubation so it was awkward trying to keep it stable :V

 

[sumi]

Chicks can live up to 3 days on the yolk they absorb just before hatching. If your temperature was too low, even just a degree too low, it would've delayed the hatch by as much as 24 hours. I'm thinking that's why these guys are so late. I hope this chick will survive and thrive for you

For your next hatch aim for a temperature of 37.5C (99.5F) or a fraction higher 38C or 100-101F. Let the incubator run for 24 hours and keep checking the temperature before you set the eggs. Once you set the eggs the temperature will drop a bit, but leave it. It will go up again.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Hi Halo! Sumi has given the best info and help

Had you calibrated your thermometers and hygros? How to calibrate as well as links for hygro calibration are in the other article in my signature, hatching 101 and its not difficult, a matter of ice water lol

I will watch for your next update!

oh and pics if available

 

[sumi]

I've just been informed that you guys call an "ear bud" a "Q tip". Sorry, I hope I didn't confuse you!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I've just been informed that you guys call an "ear bud" a "Q tip". Sorry, I hope I didn't confuse you!

 

[sumi]

Sally: