Wax-sealed egg starting to hatch!!--need advice!

[SilkiesForEver]

We have also intervened when our chicks' eggs started to dry out. This is what we've done:

Fill the bathroom sink with warm water (about 99 degrees); cradle the egg in your palm; lower your hand with the egg into the water enough to cover the egg, but NOT the chick's beak; the chick will gain strength by the warmth he feels; very slowly remove a piece of the egg shell and the chick should have more energy to break out; continue to help if needed, but let the chick struggle a bit. You may also have to remove some of the lining since it has dried out, but first let the lining get wet so that when you peel it back it will not peel the chick's skin or feathers off. Once we've hatched our chicks we would put them back into the incubator until they were completely fluffy and dry.

You may want to place it back under its mama if she is still sitting. If she has other chicks already hatched, she may be more concerned about them than a newly hatched baby. In which case, you will want to place your chick in a cardboard box or brooder with pine shavings and under a heat lamp (a table/desk lamp will work, as well) until he's completely dry, then place him under his mama at night when its dark so she'll more readily accept him.

There are times when we had to help the chicks tremendously and sometimes not. Our chicks were incubated and we found that we had more problems if we forgot to add water to the incubator through the gestation time. It would cause the eggs to dry out more quickly. Your problem may definitely be a lack of humidity, as well. The chicks we helped grew up to be healthy cocks and hens...some of our favorites! We hope all goes well with your chick. Its definitely a learning experience.

 

[suebee]

The red streaks of blood is fine...he's ready. Just get him out of the shrinking membrane asap. Some membrane may stick but you can wash that off later with warm water.

 

[sfogle]

Okay...thank you for all your advice. I will go get everything ready right now. It is quite sticky when I tried to peel it and I can see how the water will help from pulling skin or feathers off. It sounds like he is ready. I will probably put him back with the hen as she is only sitting on one egg that is still a few days away from hatching.

Thanks!

 

[suebee]

If you're going to follow SFEver's advice, please make sure it's head is completely out of the shell before surrounding it with warm water.
Good Luck!

 

[sfogle]

Thanks....I think it is time to get the membrane off...but now a little hesitant...cuz there was a little blood. How much blood is too much? Is it an indicator that it is not ready or should I get the membrane off any how? I didn't know if there were any other "signs" that the chick needs help...it is cheeping...but as it pushes..nothing happens with that membrane....so I am assuming it is doing the shrink wrap thing.

 

[suebee]

A tiny bit of blood is ok. It will die soon without intervention. I know you're scared. First time I had to do this I could barely hold the tweezers from shaking so much. My little survivor is almost a year old and doing great.

I'm hoping for a good outcome, but if you don't hurry the chances will decrease tremendously.

 

[sfogle]

Ok thank you...I am scared. I am not for sure it is shrink wrapped like I keep reading about. Should I take a picture? There is definitely some drying but under the drying there is more of a stickiness and when I tried to move it that is when i saw the blood. It is obviously a fully developed chick...I can even see a comb on its head....but haven't uncovered enough to see its eyes. I tried the paper towel thing and while it soaked through and moistened the dry part...it didn't help peel it off. Is putting it in the water the best way and being so very careful to peel? Shoudl I completely hatch it now or wait? I just want to make sure with the blood that it doesn't need to stay in longer to soak up all the yolk or whatever.

Thanks!

 

[sfogle]

Well...I went ahead and got it out!! It is alive and cheeping. I put it back
with mamma.

My main worry is the blood and gooy stuff that was in the shell....is that normal?

Also there was bllody stuff on its bottom....do chicks have like a "cord," so to speak...that would cause that? Will the blood go away or should I be worried?? i just hope i didnt do more harm than good.

 

[suebee]

Good Job. Yes, a bit of blood and gooy stuff in the empty shell is normal. Just let him rest under mom and check him periodically. He may not have absorbed everything yet but should over time.

 

[sfogle]

Thank you so much!! It was really great to have someone help me through this. I am so glad he is out and moving around. I assume it was the yolk sac and it didn't all get absorbed up into the navel. His bottom looks fine..no bleeding...just a dried up tiny spot. He is starting to get his feathers fluffed and looking more like a chick! The mamma hen is doing great keeping him warm and her other egg is due to hatch any day so he will have a little friend. I hope not getting the yolk all the way absorbed won't affect anything. I am going to set out a chick waterer and some chick medicated starter tonight by her nest just in case he is ready to eat/drink. Plus, it helps her as she is dedicated and we have had to feed/water her on the nest so she doesn't starve.

Thank you again!! I will try and post a pic sometime soon.