First Time Egg Candler Scared!

[BYC910]

We're wishing you both good luck! You got this. Just give yourself and the little guy some time.

While this is what the experts tout....and I disagree in normally hatched chicks, I woould be very careful applying the three day philosophy to a chick that had problems hatching especially one that was drying out in the shell. I would hypothesize that they would be at a greater danger of dehydration and less apt to let them go after hatch w/out water and would even push electrolytes.

well just kick me to the curb and stomp on my head

see told you ! you can't leave me alone I only think I know " everything "

I'm going to agree with Amy on this one. The chicks with leg and feet problems always have a hard time getting to the food and water. You're going to have to force the water on him for a day or two. That could be the difference between life and death. I also agree with the electrolytes, or Sav-a-Chick if you can get some. That will help with the curled toes as well

I really think this is used more as a selling tactic by big hatcheries I do know that I have left them in the incubator for 48 hrs. before and still I had to cull one got its foot caught in the mesh lost total use of its leg. the chick was not ready to quit and my wife would build a wheel chair for them if she could I think like everyone culling is the part of farming I hate the most.

 

[scflock]

I really think this is used more as a selling tactic by big hatcheries I do know that I have left them in the incubator for 48 hrs. before and still I had to cull one got its foot caught in the mesh lost total use of its leg. the chick was not ready to quit and my wife would build a wheel chair for them if she could I think like everyone culling is the part of farming I hate the most.

99% of the time I am with you. I leave them in the incubator until the hatch is done, too, but if he's going to try so hard to save it, then he's going to have to force the water on it, and I think the electrolytes would help. Personally, I give my chicks water, and culling sucks, but if you're going to keep chickens that's a part of it. I'm with you, I hate to do it, but I don't have the time or the space for special needs. It may be cold hearted, but that's just how it is

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I'm going to agree with Amy on this one. The chicks with leg and feet problems always have a hard time getting to the food and water. You're going to have to force the water on him for a day or two. That could be the difference between life and death. I also agree with the electrolytes, or Sav-a-Chick if you can get some. That will help with the curled toes as well

 

[BYC910]

99% of the time I am with you. I leave them in the incubator until the hatch is done, too, but if he's going to try so hard to save it, then he's going to have to force the water on it, and I think the electrolytes would help. Personally, I give my chicks water, and culling sucks, but if you're going to keep chickens that's a part of it. I'm with you, I hate to do it, but I don't have the time or the space for special needs. It may be cold hearted, but that's just how it is

No your not at all I've been through this a number of times with all kinds of animals. just to walk into a vets Office seems to cost $200. I'VE been getting $12 for roosters & $10 for pullets & hens but I'm selling at a live stock auction barn I don't have time for G L.first week I took chicks to the sale they sold for $1.75 to $2.75 the next week they sold $1.50 to$2.00 the last week they sold $1.00 to $1.50 First week not many chicks there next week a lot more last week hundreds where there. this is my first year in the full blown chicken business .farming is a business with hard business calls to make all the time. but in the end you must make money You have to know when your fighting a losing battle and really do what's best for the animal god but you in charge of. I can't stand by and watch them suffer which is what it comes in most cases .I have a EE pullet she's the only one left from my failed hatches last year she hasn't laid the first egg and I've gotten to attached to her what do I do now.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I use the save a chick electrolyte in my brooder water the first two days and I also use the medicated starter in the very beginning. I know a lot of people don't like the medicated starter, and my experience is limited, but all my chicks have been super healthy, so I'm not about to change my process any too soon...lol

Funny story: My Dominant roo is a turken (Nn). My 70 something year old uncle stopped by yesterday, first time since my big'uns have been in the run and coop. We were standing by the gate to the run and he was looking at the chickens and he says, "You're going to have to get rid of that roo." I asked which one he was talking about since I have 2. He points to my standard roo, who is the recessive bird and says, "Him. He's beating the crap out of the other one, he's missing the feathers on his neck."

I had to explain that it was because of the breed and the fact that the nn is the dom and no one beats him....lol I do plan on shipping him out as soon as I get a good replacement from him. He's gotten to be quite a little jerk. lol

 

[coleson12]

I'm going to agree with Amy on this one. The chicks with leg and feet problems always have a hard time getting to the food and water. You're going to have to force the water on him for a day or two. That could be the difference between life and death. I also agree with the electrolytes, or Sav-a-Chick if you can get some. That will help with the curled toes as well

I am feeding starter crumble, and he loves the water, he scares me because I guess he knows he has trouble getting to it so he sleeps next to it, and he drinks all by himself. A couple time while he was drinking he fell over in it! Hope he can get up and doesnt drown if this happens while Im gone.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I am feeding starter crumble, and he loves the water, he scares me because I guess he knows he has trouble getting to it so he sleeps next to it, and he drinks all by himself. A couple time while he was drinking he fell over in it! Hope he can get up and doesnt drown if this happens while Im gone.

You need to have either marbles or clean rocks in the waterer. I keep sterilized rocks in my waterer for the first week just to be safe, and thats with healthy good moving chicks

 

[WVduckchick]

You need to have eitehr marbles or clean rocks in the waterer. I keep sterilized rocks in my waterer for the first week just to be safe, and thats will healthy good moving chicks

I had a few of those glass drop thingys (like half a marble) that you put in the bottom of an aquarium, so I sterilized them. But I didn't have enough, so I went outside and found some pebbles and used those too. Worked just fine.

Speaking of culling vs. expensive vet visit.... I noticed a lump/knot on the top of one of my LO's head. It goes all the way across and is puffy, like fluid-filled. I posted pics in the Emergencies section. I assume its most likely from an injury. Maybe it hit its head flying around the run. I don't know. It acts fine, eats, drinks, etc. But last night I also noticed its neck seems to be swelling. I can't justify taking one of them to the vet at this point. I hope it clears up on its own and I don't have to cull it...

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I had a few of those glass drop thingys (like half a marble) that you put in the bottom of an aquarium, so I sterilized them. But I didn't have enough, so I went outside and found some pebbles and used those too. Worked just fine.

Speaking of culling vs. expensive vet visit.... I noticed a lump/knot on the top of one of my LO's head. It goes all the way across and is puffy, like fluid-filled. I posted pics in the Emergencies section. I assume its most likely from an injury. Maybe it hit its head flying around the run. I don't know. It acts fine, eats, drinks, etc. But last night I also noticed its neck seems to be swelling. I can't justify taking one of them to the vet at this point. I hope it clears up on its own and I don't have to cull it...

Yup, those work too.

it doesn't come to culling!!

 

[scflock]

I had a few of those glass drop thingys (like half a marble) that you put in the bottom of an aquarium, so I sterilized them. But I didn't have enough, so I went outside and found some pebbles and used those too. Worked just fine.

Speaking of culling vs. expensive vet visit.... I noticed a lump/knot on the top of one of my LO's head. It goes all the way across and is puffy, like fluid-filled. I posted pics in the Emergencies section. I assume its most likely from an injury. Maybe it hit its head flying around the run. I don't know. It acts fine, eats, drinks, etc. But last night I also noticed its neck seems to be swelling. I can't justify taking one of them to the vet at this point. I hope it clears up on its own and I don't have to cull it...

Is this in one of the chicks? I've only had this one time. It got worse...
Sorry, I hope you have better luck

Edit: Didn't mean to scare you. I found your thread. That's not what my chick had