Babies getting stuck

We are only 2 weeks into our Hatching period, and already we have had TWO babies stuck in their shells.

One died trying to get out of the shell, and today, I had to help another to break free of the shell.

It seems to me, as if the baby starts chipping its way out of the shell, then the inner membrane of the egg starts to DRY out and traps the baby.

At least that is what I saw today when helping the baby out of the egg - the very fine membrane had stuck to the baby's body and it couldn't break out of the shell.

Firstly, I ran some warm water over the egg, making sure I didn't drown the poor wee thing. Then with some of my very fine jewellers tweezers, pulled the shell away from the baby's body.

When I got part way into removing the shell, the baby got itself out of the rest of the egg and 4 hours later is fine and feeding from its parents.

I am sure there are fanciers out there who would say "if a baby can't get itself out of the shell, it should NOT be helped" - what are your ideas on this subject.

Always inquisitive - Phil

if I see a yb struggling to get out, and its nest mate has been out for quite a while then I will help it.........some may disagree and say if it cant get out on its own its no good, but ive done it in the past and the yb has raced ok, and made a decent pigeon.

but each to their own I suppose.

make sure parents get plenty baths phil or spray the underside of the hen with a fine spray day before hatch date atb

Never had it happen that I am aware of. Egg shells too thick?

oldstrain wrote:

make sure parents get plenty baths phil or spray the underside of the hen with a fine spray day before hatch date atb

Agree with Darren, plenty of baths, damp feathers off parents softens the shell

oldstrain wrote:

make sure parents get plenty baths phil or spray the underside of the hen with a fine spray day before hatch date atb

Something forgotting at times in a stock loft O/S "baths" but I place importance on the issue on a regular basis etc "the spray trick" you can have that one all to your self as such & the other trick helping them chip out I'm afraid my nature is rather on the harsh side of life, at all times.
*****

Call it Houdini

Boosey wrote:

Call it Houdini

Not never, on my patch . Cheers.