I just had to cull one of my chicks
Against my better judgement, I helped it out of the shell. It had zipped about halfway around and got stuck. I could see the feathers dried to a bit of membrane where it had pipped. I wasn't really prepared for what was inside that egg. When I got the top off, it was immediately evident that it wasn't right, not normal. The first thing I noticed was the SMELL. Oh the smell, just awful. It was covered in a brownish, thick jelly instead of the normal looking fluid. It was STICKY. When I touched my fingers together, they literally stuck like I had glue on them. When I got it out, it had a large fluid filled sac on its neck (at first I thought it hadn't absorbed its yolk, it was yellow). Its neck was kind of crooked too. So, it left this world as quickly as it entered it. It may have survived, maybe I could've drained the fluid off its neck and hoped it lived a semi normal life, but I did what I thought was best. When I sat it in the 'bator to contemplate whether or not I wanted to try to save it, the other chicks immediately started pecking it. Pulling it around by its toes. That was it, that told me that ending it quickly was the best.
I feel just horrible. If I'd have left it, it would've died. I would've tossed that egg and never known. It wouldn't have looked at me while I was ending its lifeI HATE having to do that. Dread it.
Now I'm having a beer. I have one more egg left in the incubator. I'm a little worried that one is going to have problems too, after all that, so I absolutely will not help it. No way, never again, theres a reason I don't do it and I got a stern reminder why tonight.
I'm ready to clean the hatcher out, its pretty smelly in there. But, my husband has convinced me that I should go ahead and start another round of eggs (enabler), so the 9300 is still out and I'm gathering another clutch
I am soooo glad to hear that!!!! Come on, chickies!!I am SO sorry about your little guy... I can relate .. somewhat - as I have felt like a mass murderer for the last two months without one of my chicks making it out of the shell.... Hugs to you!
I am going to follow up the previous sad post with a happier one.... drum roll please............
I , in semi - sound mind , am here to tell you that I have Pips!!!! {insert crowd roar}
5 of my eggs have really GOOD pips! I am on pins and Needles... the kids are going crazy bouncy off the walls!
" Mommy didn't kill the eggs this time!" Cheers and songs are being sung around the house!
Now.... Here's hoping that one actually comes out of the shell.