Advice on hatching chick

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chickenfan

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I have a broody hen that was sitting on 7 eggs. The first hatched on Weds, the rest Thurs and yesterday. I had given up on the last egg, then heard it cheeping. I could see a faint pip this morning. By this eve a tiny hole, but the pipping stopped and I thought the chick had weakened because the shell looked too thick. I gently snipped around the shell and have left the chick under mum again on a warm, moist cloth. I realise to my shame I did not do this correctly, as I removed the shell cap, leaving the chick in the membrane. Does the membrane now want to dry out, or to be kept moist? I have got rather confused about this having looked at the internet.

I am very sorry if I have made a mistake. It seems a long time since the first chick hatched.
 
You MUST keep the membrane moist Chickenfan, otherwise the chick will stick to it. Use a piece of kitchen roll dipped in luke warm water and keep checking it.
 
Thank you, Chris. The chick hatched about 2am and looks reasonably strong, but is 'sitting' rather than up on its legs, and sometimes rolls onto its back, so perhaps it is not quite right. I hope this is not due to my interference.

The other chicks are all pecking at its beak, which looks a little pink.
 
I have now put a band aid plaster round its legs in case it has slightly straddled legs
 
Really glad it got out OK - is the broody accepting it? There is a big difference in development between the ones hatched on Wednesday and Thursday, I expect so this may result in them having a go at the little one.
 
Hi Marigold, Thankyou for your thoughts. Accepted by the broody no problem, and it seems a large chick, even though born so late, 4 days after the first one. It doesn't really have splay legs, but one leg is perhaps a bit sideways, and it doesn't stand on its legs, just sits. Not sure if this band aid is a good idea. It makes it fall forwards, much less mobile, and distressed. My vet is full until the eve tomorrow. Maybe I should leave it without anything and see if it gathers strength?

If it had a wonky leg, would that stop it hatching? I won't interfere with Nature another time - too worrying, especially if the chick now suffers. I don't know if I might have even caused this, as I gather they develop leg muscles as they hatch. What would others do if they had a chick that didn't hatch after 4 days, and pipping progressing so slowly after 12 hours?
 
I couldn't stand by and see it struggling to hatch and not do anything. If the band aid is causing it to topple over and distressing it I'd take it off. Maybe the effort of hatching has caused some strain to it's legs and it needs time to recover.
 
Hi Chickenfan. Take the band aid off. It has over-developed and hatched late and the legs are weak, so let it develop and hopefully it will correct. It is too big for the leg development so it needs to work them and correct the problem.
 
I don't know if you've found this thread http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6440 about correcting splayed leg in chicks, but it might be worth a read, if only to help you diagnose how much if a problem your chick might have. I agree with Chris that bandaid which is apparently restricting its movement is most probably not helpful and should come off.
 
Gosh, this forum is so helpful. Thank you! I think you were right that the chick was 'overdeveloped' and too big for its legs. I put it on a rough towel for better grip, as the vet advised, and it is up and running now. However, it is still not doing well - cheeping a lot (regular, even cheeps) and not eating a lot, but looking bewildered. I've upped the heat in the room to give it a better chance, but still don't think I should have helped it hatch.
 
Time will tell. Some make it even after a most unpromising start but most die along the way.
 
The chick made a complete recovery and became my biggest and strongest cockerel.
 
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