That is exactly what we did when we had one pip at the wrong end. She pipped and made a hole and her little beak was sticking out but she just couldnt zip. So we cracked the top half of the egg off wrapped her in a wet paper towel and left the membrane intact. We checked alot to make sure the membrane wasnt drying and wet it when needed and after a few hours she pushed through the membrane and hatched. She was fine.