Time to help hatching chick?

[Sivory]

Based on photo, I'd be comfortable waiting - that chick is far further ahead than my last duck was, or the little chick from the hatching prior. Its position is poor, I think, which may account for its struggles some, but it should be able to finish the task. Long rests between efforts have not been unusual in my (LIMITED) experience.

/edit if you can't stand to leave it alone - and I understand, I intervened too early in my first two hatches, just tap around the existing hole to help crack the shell - most of the damage I've done has been lifting bits of shell away and having a sharp edge cut a blood vessel.

Thank you! I think I will leave her a little longer but will eventually assist her if needed, but like you say; just cracking the shell and letting her do the rest. It must be such hard work and my eyes are glued to her the poor little thing

 

[Ruby Rogue]

Can you post a pic after you've moistened the membrane? This is a duck egg right?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

One other thing

Thanks so much! I think I’ll give her another few hours, and then help but in the meantime I’ll put something on the membrane

Sounds like a wonderful plan <3
The one that I had to hatch out of a round hole in the egg by herself, is perfectly fine now. I believe that her straining while trying to escape the hole instead of breaking the egg open, caused her naval to protrude a little bit externally and she had a scissors stance for about a week after hatch. I named her Zelda because she fought her way out of her egg. She's doing great and will turn one year old in August. The one I assisted is also doing well. That one actually hatched out in my hand! The ones I've lost have been due to them blocking their air supply (external pip) but your chick has a significant hole and shouldn't run into that.

 

[MGG]

Hi Everyone,
I am currently incubating Pekin bantam eggs, today is day 21, I have 12 eggs but yesterday (day 20), one hatched (healthy and strong), and two others pipped in the afternoon, #2 at 1pm and #3 at 3pm. It is now 9am and #3 is hatched and healthy & strong but #2 is still in the egg.
she is chirping loudly and has made a big hole in the egg, as in her head is nearly sticking out, but she didn’t zip, she has just been working away at that hole. I’m worried she is starting to look a little shrink wrapped and exhausted, is it time for me to give her a hand so she can finish off?
I know some people think it’s best to not intervene and I entirely respect that perspective, but my perspective is that this is an artificial environment of my creating, so if I have done something to cause this with humidity, temperature etc, I’d very much like to give her a fighting chance where I can.

Thanks so much for your help

Personally, if you don't see any veins at all and she isn't yawning, I would assist. Based on your pic, she looks ready. Do you see any veining or any yawning?

Three days is my new rule.

Three days after external pip? That's way too long to save much, I wouldn't ever wait more than 2 days with no progress in any species of bird. If you're talking ducks, they are slower hatchers so I don't assist until it's been 24-36 hours, but still. That's a lot shorter than three days. I don't rely on time as much as I rely on the appearance of the bird to assist. If there's no yawning or veining, and you have reason to believe the bird needs help, it is safe at that point.

Her beak is cleared from anything blocking it, so that's good!
I'd gently moisten the membrane and check for any remaining veins. Remaining veins is a vital part of deciding to intervene or wait. If the chick did this to the shell, I still feel like it's having trouble zipping and it'll need a little help. I am certainly not the expert here. One of mine that zipped like this was able to free herself but she had some issues at hatch I believe from the straining, this happened overnight and I didn't think she'd even hatch at all. The other one I was awake for and assisted. They get angry and frustrated sounding, in my experience

I agree 100%. Thanks for the tag btw.

 

[Sivory]

Can you post a pic after you've moistened the membrane? This is a duck egg right?

Hi! Sorry no it’s a Pekin chicken, I’ll post an updated pic soon

 

[Sivory]

Personally, if you don't see any veins at all and she isn't yawning, I would assist. Based on your pic, she looks ready. Do you see any veining or any yawning?

Three days after external pip? That's way too long to save much, I wouldn't ever wait more than 2 days with no progress in any species of bird. If you're talking ducks, they are slower hatchers so I don't assist until it's been 24-36 hours, but still. That's a lot shorter than three days. I don't rely on time as much as I rely on the appearance of the bird to assist. If there's no yawning or veining, and you have reason to believe the bird needs help, it is safe at that point.

I agree 100%. Thanks for the tag btw.

Hi, thanks for your replies! No, no veining or yawning, she certainly was yesterday but not anymore, in face her little head is starting to fluff up

 

[Ruby Rogue]

Hi! Sorry no it’s a Pekin chicken, I’ll post an updated pic soon

This thread is so confusing...looks like a duck in the pic, anyways, you've been advised!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Three days after external pip? That's way too long to save much, I wouldn't ever wait more than 2 days with no progress in any species of bird. If you're talking ducks, they are slower hatchers so I don't assist until it's been 24-36 hours, but still. That's a lot shorter than three days. I don't rely on time as much as I rely on the appearance of the bird to assist. If there's no yawning or veining, and you have reason to believe the bird needs help, it is safe at that point.

Thank you for this - I went to three days after repeatedly having bleeds at day two. I use a dry incubation method, not sure if that has an impact? (well, as dry as it gets in FL in an RV)

 

[MGG]

Hi, thanks for your replies! No, no veining or yawning, she certainly was yesterday but not anymore, in face her little head is starting to fluff up

No problem! She sounds ready then. Go ahead and start assisting, follow the assisted hatching link. I think Heather posted it, but it's also in my signature if you can't re-find it. If there's any blood stop, but I don't think you'll find any. Let us know how it goes, and good luck!

 

[MGG]

Thank you for this - I went to three days after repeatedly having bleeds at day two. I use a dry incubation method, not sure if that has an impact? (well, as dry as it gets in FL in an RV)

Hmm, that's odd. 48 hours after the external pip/last progress? These are ducks you're taking about?