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Chicks hatching but sticking

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by Buttercupnectar, Apr 9, 2009.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Apr 9, 2009 #1
    Buttercupnectar

    Buttercupnectar New Egg

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    Mar 27, 2008
    Okay, so I have eggs that I am incubating. 4 hatched on their own but the fifth one was starting to dry to the egg so I added water to the bottom tray to increase the humidity in there because I still have 2 piping. Will this be enough to help them at this point? I had someone helping me since I am on spring break this week and miscalculated when they would hatch and the person forgot to add water on Tuesday. I had to help the fifth one out of his shell with warm water on my fingers to moisten the egg membrane. He had been the first one to pipe and then was just stuck since noon today.

    Any advice????
     
  3. Apr 9, 2009 #2
    sheridangirl

    sheridangirl Out Of The Brooder

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    Jan 5, 2008
    Campo, CA
    I had that happen last year and I waited about 2 days before I actually took the egg and held it in warm water. Now keep in mind I could see where the chickies beak was and I only held the egg part way in the water, away from the beak. I did this 4 to 5 times during the day and the little guy finally made his way out.

    This year I had two that couldn't get out either. # 39 and 40 of 40 chicks.
    The first one tried for almost 48 hours. I tried the water thing and it helped but he was really stuck and worn out. So, I finally cracked the shell to loosen it and removed some of it from his head. I left the rest of the shell on him and didn't help him much after that. He was finally able to get out. But he was very exhausted and I didn't think he would live because he wasn't even trying to get up after an hour. So, I got some medicated water with vitamins. (broiler booster) and I gave him a bit of the water with a syringe twice. I also left him in the brooder so he would stay nice and toasty. Well, it worked and he is doing well.
    My last chickie couldn't get out of his shell either so, I did the same thing, cracked the egg and peeled a bit of it away. He did finally get out, but he has a deformed foot and a spraddled leg. So, I put a splint on the legs tonight and will put a shoe on his foot if needed to try to straighten out the toe. He is very active and doing well other than the leg and foot problem.
    Helping chicks hatch is not a good idea but these ones were trying for so long that I figured they would die if I didn't do something.
    I have noticed that some people wrap the egg in a damp paper towel. I am going to try that next time.
    Good luck!!
     
  5. Apr 9, 2009 #3
    perrym1962

    perrym1962 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Oct 21, 2007
    Eastview, Ky..
    I had some sticking the other day like glue. My humidity was almost 70 percent, so I don't really know either.[​IMG]
     
  7. Apr 9, 2009 #4
    willowcol

    willowcol Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Oct 10, 2008
    Macclesfield NC
    Mine usually only get sticky if I open the bator whle they are hatching. But then again I have a big hatch going on now and so far so good but I haven't opened the bator this time yet. Will let you know if the last few get sticky this time too. Sorry no real help except to say I just take the sticky chicks and hold them not thier faces but thier body under slow running warm water and then dry them a bit with a wash cloth before the harden up.
     

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