Chick Zipped Halfway but looks stuck

[lmadeline146]

One of my eggs pipped yesterday morning and started sometime last night while i was asleep. I woke up this morning and it looks as if she zipped halfway and got stuck. Her beak is poking out and it looks like she keeps trying to get out of the egg instead of continuing to zip. Should I interfere?

 

[Ryguy3684]

I usually don't interfere unless it hasn't made progress in 24 hours. You'll find a wide variety of answers on assisting. Some help early, some wait 24 hours, and some don't assist at all. When I started incubating, I was over eager to help and when I assisted, the chick still had a lot of yolk to absorb. Since that zip is big enough for the chick to breathe, I'd let it be for a while. I have had chicks zip more than halfway, stop for hours to rest, then pop out when they're ready. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[lmadeline146]

I usually don't interfere unless it hasn't made progress in 24 hours. You'll find a wide variety of answers on assisting. Some help early, some wait 24 hours, and some don't assist at all. When I started incubating, I was over eager to help and when I assisted, the chick still had a lot of yolk to absorb. Since that zip is big enough for the chick to breathe, I'd let it be for a while. I have had chicks zip more than halfway, stop for hours to rest, then pop out when they're ready. Good luck and keep us posted.

I think I’m going to try and help. It has made a few more holes but the membrane is yellow and starting to crust.

 

[Ryguy3684]

I think I’m going to try and help. It has made a few more holes but the membrane is yellow and starting to crust.

That fine. If you've never assisted a hatch before, go very slow and careful.

 

[friednotscrambled]

If you decide to help .... stop if you see any blood when you break off a SMALL piece of shell. You can always lightly mist the shell to keep things moist.

 

[lmadeline146]

That fine. If you've never assisted a hatch before, go very slow and careful.

I just got her out, she got shrinkwrapped but i was able to help her and she broke herself out. No blood or anything so I’m going to keep an eye on her!

 

[UrbanHomesteadTX]

I just got her out, she got shrinkwrapped but i was able to help her and she broke herself out. No blood or anything so I’m going to keep an eye on her!

So happy she came out well! Good luck to you and the rest of your hatch!

 

[Ryguy3684]

I just got her out, she got shrinkwrapped but i was able to help her and she broke herself out. No blood or anything so I’m going to keep an eye on her!

Nice work.