Half Hatched Egg!!

[Rbl4life]

I have one egg that has cracked and has a hole in it about the size of a quarter. It has been like that for two days now. I can see the chick breathing in there but everything around it is brown. What should I do

 

[gfcm]

Sounds like he's shrink wrapped from low humidity. Is it the only chick and/or egg in there now? Do a search here for others who've had same problem. I'm new and going by what I've read.

 

[BawGock]

Hi,
Personally, I would get him out of there and help him.
The time he's been like that and the color of membrane you are describing sounds like the membrane as dried to him and he cannot complete his zip.
Very gently flake small pieces of shell at a time and moisten places where the membrane is stuck to his feather with warm water.
Then place him back in the incubator to dry.
Your humidity should be around 65% in the incubator.

Carolyn

 

[meepitqueenie]

that happened to me... had a bunch hatch then my humidity went from 65 to 50 i had a egg with a hole in it and it would stick its beak out ... after a little more than 24 hrs. I decided i couldn't live with myself if i didn't help it just a little. I peeled back part of the egg until the head/beak area was free, moistened the membrane with a damp sponge. put the chick/egg back in there. got up in the AM and the chick finished hatching on its own.

I am glad i helped it.

 

[emryst]

I also had that happen the first time I hatched eggs which was 3 days ago. The poor buddy was in there for a long time pipped and half zipped and no more. So we took a chopstick and helped break the rest of the shell around him and he popped out. Unfortunately he/she does have some defects (curled toes, small size, gimp leg) and I don't think that the lil thing is going to make it.

We probably would not have helped other than the egg was from one of my mom's hens who is pretty smart and predator savvy.

Hoping the lil buddy makes it...

 

[Rbl4life]

My humidity is just below 70, but what worries me is the fact i have had to open the incubator about three times. I had two others hatch with no problems in the same incubator. Should I help before it dies for sure ?