This is agonizing

Hi there!

I did my first hatch a few months ago and felt just like you did! Panicked and yet completely against helping the chicks out.
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There were holes in several of my eggs and to be honest, I thought they were probably dead. It seems like some would hatch and others would sit with one little hole forever. I had 5 hatch from between 10 a.m. one morning until the following late afternoon. Afterwards I realized that all of the eggs with holes did actually hatch out - I just didn't watch and wait like you did because I had 12 total eggs.

There was one little last chick that simply didn't seem to be able to get out. He had his shell halfway zipped (unzipped?) and stayed that way overnight. He was drying out and was trying really hard. After cheering him on and watching him try as hard as he could to get out, I decided I had to do something!
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It was something I said I would never do, but he turned out fine (and I'm glad I helped him!).
 
That chicken looks pretty healthy to me.

Alright, for better or for worse, here is what I did. I very gently cracked and removed little pieces of the shell all around connecting the holes that were already there. I carefully did not mess with the membrane much as it wasn't really as dry as I thought it was. I actually ended up with some yellowish liquid on my hand after handling the egg.
The chick peeped and moved while I was holding it.
After putting it back in the incubator, I saw the whole loose end of the egg move as if the chick were pushing against it.
I guess I'll just see what happens now.
I'll keep you all posted.
 

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