Chick Gangs? UPDATED w/PICS

[gardenak]

We have babies! 3 last night, 1 hatching now; it's still wearing the shell on it's head and 3 zipping. Problem is, the 3 from last night are pecking the little one with the shell on it's head. But I'm afraid to remove the lid from the bator to pull them out. I've read way too much about shrink wrapping. I'm worried about this little guy, just doesn't look right.

 

[gardenak]

Is't been over an hour and he's drying off with the shell stuck to his head and his neck bent in a weird position- should I take the bator to the bathroom and turn the hot shower on and try to remove the shell, and put the others in the brooder? HELP

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

If it was me - here is what I would do:

I would get some hot water ready, open and remove all hatched chicks (including shell head), fill water trays and replace top. I try not to open the top all the way, just enough to get chicks and pour hot water.


Then for shell head - I use warm water and a clothe to moisten the gunk and get the shell off. Might want to blow dry on low - carefully to not burn chick - after removing the shell.

I am hatching as we speak also 5 out of bator in brooder, one in bator just left the shell, 3 pips and one zipping.

 

[gardenak]

Thanks- I just turned the hot shower on so its nice and steamy in there- shell head is most definitely stuck! That membrane is dry.

 

[Penturner]

the danger in opening the incubator now is loss of humidity. chilling the chicks in the shell is a secondary concern. Keep those two in mind if you do make a grab for the chick. If it where me I woudl open the bator grab the chick and get the incubator closed again. then deal with whatever problems that causes for the chick.
Now for my other thoughts. you have a chick that is not doing well. It may not make it regardless of what you do. Is it worth risking every other chick? At the very best that is what you are doing and only you are there seeing the entire situation. is the chick looking weak? If so my bet is there is very little you can do about that. Is it deformed? You can definitly do nothting about that. Basically is it worth the risk to the rest of the clutch? Hard decision.

 

[Penturner]

I just saw your added post. I agree an incubator does not have to be a little box. turn a room into an incubator and you don;t have the issues with opening it. Might want a heat lamp right over the eggs or something that will keep them up to temp as well but as I mentioned before I consider that a secondary issue. You may be seeing the first signs of humidity issues in this hatch so do something to boost humidity. you have a lot more time to work if you can bring the bathroom up to humidity and temp of an incubator. In fact you can take the time to check the other pipped eggs carefully. Just remember the two things to worry about is a drop in humidity or temp. It will be uncomfortable for you to work in a 100 degree bathroom. but that is definitely doable.

 

[gardenak]

Success! There are still bits of shell & membrane stuck to the down but the eye is uncovered and the head can be held up straight. Thank you.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Adorable and looks much more comfortable



ETA: s on the end of look (spelling - not my shining moment)