Very early Chick

[Danno B]

Hello everyone!
Quick question. New to hatching here, but have tried to read up on things before I started. Got a clutch of 15 mixed breed eggs on-line. 3 never started. Bacteria got 1. The rest have been doing ok. Started pipping and hatching yesterday and today. (Today is supposed to be the actual hatch day.) Got 10 chicks hatched, and two more pipped and ready. Question is...I had one hatch today that was WAY too early. Little thing hadn't even finished absorbing the yolk yet, and busted out of the egg. It is peeping and moving around the bator dragging yolk behind. Spends most time laying on it's stomach. Poor thing. Is there anything I can do for it, or should I cull it? I don't want it to be suffering. Many thanks for any advice.

Dan

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! Congrats on your hatchers The one that has hatched early needs to be kept as still as possible untill the yolk has absorbed. Placing the chick in a small tub or cup can help keep it confined so the yolk sac does not burst open. Here is an example pic ~

Check out this article too it's great on hatching and has everything you need to know ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

Wishing you the very best of luck with your chick

 

[KeyFlock]

I'm glad you joined us!! For more information on what to do with your chick, you might want to check out the assisted hatching thread in the learning center. Good luck!

 

[Danno B]

My thanks. I thought the poor little thing was a goner. Into a cup he goes! Will keep you posted. Again...thank you.
Dan

 

[Danno B]

Will do. Thank you!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Your most welcome

All is not lost, good luck

 

[Danno B]

Can I be a pain and ask one more question please?
My last two eggs pipped yesterday morning. I can see the chicks moving about and hear them peep on occasion, but there has been no further attempts at hatching. I know it can take over 24 hours sometimes. My question is, how long should I wait before I attempt to help create a zip line around it? I don't want the membrane to dry out after all, but not sure if it may already be since they are doing nothing further. Advice please? Many thanks yet again.

Dan

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[pfields]

I helped mine. I know you're not suppose to help them but after so many hours and no progress they seemed worn out trying. They all survived but I did notice they were slower to get up and move around freely. If the bottom part of the shell was still attached to them, I didn't remove it, and they finally broke free on their own.

 

[Danno B]

Thank you. I'm so glad I found such an amazing resource in all you guys. Thanks again.
Dan