We saved a baby quail by assisting his hatch

[Lapeep]

We waited hours before deciding to assist. The baby quail just kept pecking in one spot with no progress. He was malpositioned and had the absorbed umbilical yolk sack stuck to the back of his head. We did the zip ensuring moisture from a q-tip dipped in water while in a humid bathroom. We took part of the membrane off carefully just enough to free movement. Then put him back still in the bottom of his shell with top shell loosened quite a bit. He took over from there and survived!!! Hallelujah! He would not have made it without help. You can see umbilical or membrane still stuck to the back of his head in photo. Wet q-tip helped remove the rest. We are glad we assisted him.

 

[MGG]

We waited hours before deciding to assist. The baby quail just kept pecking in one spot with no progress. He was malpositioned and had the absorbed umbilical yolk sack stuck to the back of his head. We did the zip ensuring moisture from a q-tip dipped in water while in a humid bathroom. We took part of the membrane off carefully just enough to free movement. Then put him back still in the bottom of his shell with top shell loosened quite a bit. He took over from there and survived!!! Hallelujah! He would not have made it without help. You can see umbilical or membrane still stuck to the back of his head in photo. Wet q-tip helped remove the rest. We are glad we assisted him.

Congrats! Is he the one egg you mentioned in your other thread? Take the membrane off of his head.

 

[Lapeep]

Thanks! We had a total of five viable Coturnix quail eggs. Two hatched on their own. The third we had to assist because of membrane stuck to his head. He is doing well with the others now. It’s 22 days and we have two not hatched in the incubator. I was debating on helping them pip or just waiting a day or two. This is our first hatch.

 

[Lapeep]

Yes we got most of the membrane off of his head with a wet q-tip. We will try to get more off in a little bit.

 

[MGG]

Thanks! We had a total of five viable Coturnix quail eggs. Two hatched on their own. The third we had to assist because of membrane stuck to his head. He is doing well with the others now. It’s 22 days and we have two not hatched in the incubator. I was debating on helping them pip or just waiting a day or two. This is our first hatch.

Awesome! Can you candle the other 2 and see where they're at? I would make a safety hole for them after candling.

 

[MGG]

Yes we got most of the membrane off of his head with a wet q-tip. We will try to get more off in a little bit.

Sounds good!

 

[Lapeep]

When I candled last night it all looked dark and we put them in water and they slightly floated with most of the egg under water. I thought they are probably alive then. Would the top where they floated likely be the air sack to make a safety hole?

 

[MGG]

When I candled last night it all looked dark and we put them in water and they slightly floated with most of the egg under water. I thought they are probably alive then. Would the top where they floated likely be the air sack to make a safety hole?

Just candle them. Don't do the float test anymore. It doesn't work, and its unreliable. I once tossed 8 perfectly good living babies because the float test was wrong. I'll never do it again. Seeing those poor little things die and not being able to do anything about it is the worst feeling ever. I always tell everyone not to do it because I'd hate for anyone to have to go through the same thing. I always opt for candling now, its way more reliable. When you do it thee will be a big white pocket at the big end of the egg. While holding the flashlight, have someone trace the air cell line with a pencil. Then you know where it is.

 

[Lapeep]

I put a safety hole in each. I’m not sure if the membrane is open enough. I use a stick pin to Polk through but the flap appears to close back. The safety hole really tiny. I hope they get air. I understand they may not live but it’s worth a try.

 

[Lapeep]

Thanks. When I did the candling I had a hard time seeing. It’s all dark to me. When I made the safety it looked like dark color underneath... maybe feathers. Maybe I should try a different spot to do a safety hole.