February Hatch-A-Long

[kyeschicks]

I'm in the middle of my first hatch, ever. So i'm not much help sorry.
But what you descried sounds accurate. You help from one issue, but also walk into a hallway which has a few doors. Which doors open is kind of random, but be prepared for about 4 different doors and the troubles that come with each one. lol.

It's all good, I appreciate your advice. It has been a few years since I last incubated, I'm just now getting back to owning a flock again. I have assisted in the past because I've had some that die because they pipped the wrong and I didn't do anything. There was one time where everybody was telling me not to do anything, but my gut instinct (just like now lol) was telling me to help and I successfully helped two hatch with small assists (like creating bigger pip holes). I just don't remember what I did or how I did it that they didn't shrink wrap. Right now it's pretty cold and dry so that's what's holding me back from helping.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

@kyeschicks
This is what I do. I had one like this this hatch. I copied and pasted this from my post last week:
I start by enlarging the pip hole slightly to ensure the chick is able to breath and that the beak is visible, so I can keep an eye on it. Sometimes they can not progress as they are completely turned around in the shell.
I do it under a heat lamp over a hot/damp towel to keep the humidity up and antibacterial ointment on the membrane if needed to keep it moist if is looks like it is starting to dry out.
Have all your supplies ready to go and move quickly but carefully.
It is quite similar to a regular assist, you may need to help the chick fully. If so, it may need some physical therapy or foot corrections as they often have some issues with their feet/legs as they need that last push out they do to straighten out their feet and build up leg muscles.
Good luck!

 

[gimmie birdies]

if you peel any peel just a bit, and stop if there is blood. Dab the blood with flour.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

@kyeschicks
This is what I do. I had one like this this hatch. I copied and pasted this from my post last week:
I start by enlarging the pip hole slightly to ensure the chick is able to breath and that the beak is visible, so I can keep an eye on it. Sometimes they can not progress as they are completely turned around in the shell.
I do it under a heat lamp over a hot/damp towel to keep the humidity up and antibacterial ointment on the membrane if needed to keep it moist if is looks like it is starting to dry out.
Have all your supplies ready to go and move quickly but carefully.
It is quite similar to a regular assist, you may need to help the chick fully. If so, it may need some physical therapy or foot corrections as they often have some issues with their feet/legs as they need that last push out they do to straighten out their feet and build up leg muscles.
Good luck!

I use mupirocin because I have it, though bacitracin is fine. Do not use neosporin or anything with an anesthetic in it. Ointment and not cream.
I use a fine tweezer and a sharp needle if I need to make a hole. I have also used a very small drill bit and twisted it carefully to make a hole. Just poor boiling water over everything first to sterilize.

 

[MamaLynn23]

Anybody planning a hatch in February? I am hoping too, but don't have any dates set for certain yet.

Hoping to see some cute chicks!

We put nine eggs in our brand new incubator, and were hoping to have chicks in matter of a week or so... then Texas got hit good with the late Winter weather. Aaaaaaand our power went out for two days. I tried putting the eggs in a box wrapped in a warm towel by the fireplace. Then promptly put them back in incubator when the power came back on, but I don’t have much hope.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

@kyeschicks
A few photos from the assist from last week-end with our malpositioned chick. Yes it is worth it to try to save them, they often cannot get out of the shell themselves. Between each step that you take you just have to stuff them back in the incubator and see how much they can do on their own and just keep a very close eye.
I know it looks like there is some blood when we put the egg back in the incubator but none of that is active bleeding.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

We put nine eggs in our brand new incubator, and were hoping to have chicks in matter of a week or so... then Texas got hit good with the late Winter weather. Aaaaaaand our power went out for two days. I tried putting the eggs in a box wrapped in a warm towel by the fireplace. Then promptly put them back in incubator when the power came back on, but I don’t have much hope.

So sorry to hear that! I had a power outage for only 90 minutes and I went into panic mode. Good luck and I hope some of them survive it.

 

[gimmie birdies]

Chicks are peeping up a storm now! the BCM egg is almost all zipped.

 

[kyeschicks]

@kyeschicks
A few photos from the assist from last week-end with our malpositioned chick. Yes it is worth it to try to save them, they often cannot get out of the shell themselves. Between each step that you take you just have to stuff them back in the incubator and see how much they can do on their own and just keep a very close eye.
I know it looks like there is some blood when we put the egg back in the incubator but none of that is active bleeding.
View attachment 2535497View attachment 2535498View attachment 2535499View attachment 2535500View attachment 2535502

Thank you!

I went ahead and removed the shell, the outer membrane was still intact... I do not like messing with the membrane or shell they haven't cracked. Luckily though, the chick made a strong movement and broke through the membrane. I peeled the membrane so there is a hole now that will provide oxygen.

Here's a pic of how I left her and placed her back in the incubator. I'm still concerned that the nostrils might be covered under the shell and the membrane as I can only see the eggtooth. What do y'all think? I will probably leave her alone and monitor for a little to see if she makes any progress.

 

[kyeschicks]

We put nine eggs in our brand new incubator, and were hoping to have chicks in matter of a week or so... then Texas got hit good with the late Winter weather. Aaaaaaand our power went out for two days. I tried putting the eggs in a box wrapped in a warm towel by the fireplace. Then promptly put them back in incubator when the power came back on, but I don’t have much hope.

I'll be sending good vibes! Glad you didn't toss them out. Keep us updated