Shrink Wrapped Chick

[Pyxis]

So my chick is most definitely shrink wrapped. The inner membrane is nice and solid and even with wetting it's not loosening up. The poor thing is also stuck to the inside of the shell. I know I'm going to have to help it - the question I have is when? I don't think it's ready yet - carefully removing pieces of the shell down further has revealed that there are still active veins.

I don't want to help too soon, nor do I want to wait too long and have it die. When's the best time to help? When the veins are all gone? As background she pipped about 24 hours ago and is currently in the incubator with a wet paper towel wrapped around her shell to try to help soften things up.

 

[loveourbirds]

this article will help you a lot, I typically wait 24 hours from first pip.

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

 

[Pyxis]

Thanks! I'm kinda finding my way through this. She's stuck to the shell, stuck to herself, stuck to her membrane, and to top it off, it appears she was malpositioned. Her wing is nowhere near her head (I can;t even see it at this point) and her feet are up too high. Poor thing has gone through a lot. She was a shipped egg that was cracked without my knowing, and I never repaired the crack. When I first candled, I was stunned to see the little embryo developing in her very cracked egg.

 

[loveourbirds]

if I have to clean one I get it damp a couple of times by misting it with nearly hatch temperature water, mist lightly let it set in the incubator for a few minutes, then mist again and let it set again, then try to clean.

 

[Pyxis]

She's out and fluffing. Ugh, that was an ordeal. I seemed to have timed it perfectly. All the yolk was gone and just a little blood from the 'belly button' when I finally pulled her out. She managed to tear off a bunch of neck fluff during her struggles to get loose from the shell but other than that she seems to be doing okay.

Thanks so much for your help! Your tips for getting the membrane off worked perfectly.

 

[loveourbirds]

im glad i could help, keep me updated on her progress. did the feet come out ok?

 

[Pyxis]

Yep, her feet are perfect. No obvious issues, she was just well and truly stuck.

 

[loveourbirds]

sounds like things just might be ok, keep me updated.