I had a chick pip yesterday morning (day 23), and by 9:30 last night was almost completely zipped but just couldn't break out. Another had already pipped, zipped and hatched during this time. DH and I decided to intervene, and I'm glad I did, because she never would have made it out. When I picked the egg up she immedietly started peeping. She was totally cemented in there - the membrane was thick and leathery, and her fluff was stiff. She's been in the incubator now for about 12 hours. She hasn't been able to crawl around, but she's flopped back and forth a bit, laying on her back. One leg is fully extended with toes spread. The other leg is curled up to her belly, similar to her position in the egg. She was preening herself a bit this morning. I noticed her belly is a bit red where the yolk sac was, which I didn't notice on the other chicks (however, they were all laying on their bellies while drying off). She appears to be sticky, which all of my other chicks were (first incubation using an LG still-air= lots of issues). How much longer should I leave her in there? Should I wait until she has a more broad range of movement, or take her out and place her in a separate area of the brooder? I know what I can do for her is limited and nature will take its course, but I want to give her every chance possible. Any advice you can give is welcome and greatly appreciated. Thank you!
ETA: She has moved her curled leg a bit but still isn't stretching it out. Her hock doesn't seem right. She seems to be breathing a bit heavy, like she's hot.
ETA: She has moved her curled leg a bit but still isn't stretching it out. Her hock doesn't seem right. She seems to be breathing a bit heavy, like she's hot.
Last edited:
