12 hour keet having a problem

[DACIFarmGuineas]

This is our first keets to hatch. The first one is fine over 24 hours old and running around already. The second one is doing well also. The third and last is the problem. It came out of the shell at 2am this morning and the membrain around is was sort of hard from the right side of the head down to the right wing. So I took a cotton ball with warm water (just a tad) rub it over and it became slimy and pulled off. I noticed that underneath from the head to parts of it's back the feathers are stuck together like tar. I keep checking and the left side is getting nice and fluffly but the rest is not. The keet is having a hard time moving around since it can't move freely due to not being able to move it's right wing. Is there anything I can do to take care of this. It is sleeping a lot which I know is normal, but with the feathers stuck together like that, it will not be able to stabilize itself. What should I do?


Cindi K.

 

[damselfish]

I'd say soak the feathers in a bit of warm water just as you did with the rest. Dry it off and make sure the keet is warm before you put it back with the others. Good luck and sorry we took so long to get to you...sometimes the guinea section is not too active. Come back and let us know how it worked out.

 

[DACIFarmGuineas]

So far the little thing is doing well now. I did what you suggested and it's eating and drinking, and I'm having to wipe it's bottom all the time due to stuff is always stuck there. The only thing now is the right side of the head is still stuck with I suppose left over blood and such so the eye can't open all the way. I'm afraid to wipe it with warm water since I don't know where the ear or the nostril. I can see it on the other two birds but not this one. This is a very tiny little keet. Also it's feet are curlled inward, the toes on both feet and it can't walk like the other two. Will the feet straighten out?


Cindi K.

 

[flgardengirl]

Get some warm water and a soft toothbrush and brush water on his head. It works pretty good at getting the icky off. Sometimes I use the comb part of one of those eyelash/eyebrow brush thingys to help unstick stubborn stuff on baby chicks.

 

[DACIFarmGuineas]

The little keet died. I was so upset by that. I just keep going over and over what I did wrong with the incubation process. I know that over time it will more than likely happen again, but this was my first time at this.


Cindi K.