Chick weakness after 7 hrs

[futurefarmer08]

Hi,
I had two early (by one day) hatchers. They are in the incubator. The second Black Copper Marans chick hatched fine was active but this morning I found that it is listless. It will get up and move around but it's head seems droopy and I don't know what I can do if anything to help it. The first one is very active. I don't know how early I can move it to the brooder box and if I should move it by itself. It is running amok in the incubator (similar to hovabator) and I have other eggs that will be hatching in there. Please give any advice asap.
Thanks so much!

 

[birdlover]

You can put the active chick in the brooder as soon as it dries off. If you can, check the other one for pasty butt although I'm not sure it would develop that this quickly. Another thing to consider is, if you open the incubator, you will let out the humidity which is a serious no no. I've read the same question on here about the hatched chicks rolling the unhatched eggs around and, if my memory serves me correctly, the advice was not to open the incubator at all or, at the most, one time. Congratulations on your new chickies.

 

[swtangel321]

In this case I would open the bator REAL QUICK and grab the 2 chicks, Make sure the brooder is the right temp and get some food and water in to the weak one. I would normaly say not to open the bator but get them both out and see if that helps !!

 

[futurefarmer08]

I am so grateful for your seasoned advice.

. I took them both out and put them in the brooder. I showed them the water. The younger weaker one drank and then they figured out where the chick food was and started eating that. They seem a lot happier and stronger since they have been in there. I hope my other ones will start to hatch out soon
I would be lost without all the good advice from Backyard chicken. Thank you for being available!!!

 

[Chicken Woman]

Are you putting electrolites in water ? That helps them to keep from getting dehygrated while learning to get water. It also help strengthens them as they have worked really hard to hatch .
You can get electrlite granuals at most feed stores.

 

[swtangel321]

Quote:
Glad they seem to be doing better !! Keep us updated !!

Hope the rest of your hatch goes well !!