First time hatch went a little wrong

[Nabiki]

Wouldn't taking them out endanger them though? How do I tell if I shrinkwrapped them? Can they get out of the egg themselves if it shrinkwrapped a little? What happens if the egg rolls to cover the pip--will it suffocate the chick inside?

If the egg is still within normal pip to zip times, don't take it out. From your worry, I assumed it was past that time.

If you watch, you can tell they're shrinkwrapped when they try to get out and zip, but still can't get out.

If the egg rolls over, the chick won't suffocate. New hatched chicks play soccer with the rest of the eggs and they still hatch.

I took the chick out about an hour ago, but he was crying all night, morning, and part of the afternoon, cheering them on. I hope at least one other hatches or the hatchling will be lonely for a week before the next batch hatch out. I also put a warm wet paper towel next to the basket when I took the chick out so hopefully that helps.

Speaking of lonely hatchlings . . . what can I do so he stops crying all the time? Can a chick be so lonely that it interferes with eating and such?

There's not much you can do, but you can try a small stuffed animal (or a rolled up washcloth), and maybe a mirror. Pay a lot of attention to it and keep it company. Putting it back in the incubator for a while isn't a bad idea either, but once they're in the brooder, I usually leave them there so I open the incubator as little as possible.

 

[FloorCandy]

If the egg is still within normal pip to zip times, don't take it out. From your worry, I assumed it was past that time.

If you watch, you can tell they're shrinkwrapped when they try to get out and zip, but still can't get out.

If the egg rolls over, the chick won't suffocate. New hatched chicks play soccer with the rest of the eggs and they still hatch.


There's not much you can do, but you can try a small stuffed animal (or a rolled up washcloth), and maybe a mirror. Pay a lot of attention to it and keep it company. Putting it back in the incubator for a while isn't a bad idea either, but once they're in the brooder, I usually leave them there so I open the incubator as little as possible.

I found a mirror and some Pom poms like the kind for knit hats can help them feel better. They lean and cuddle the Pom poms like it’s other chicks crowded around them.

 

[FloorCandy]

 

[Lilyofsalen]

I have a couple nice hygrometers. Unfortunately, I have a staggered hatch (I will not do this again). When I put in my first official hatch I just couldn't bring myself to throw away the potential of the 'test eggs' since some seemed to have something inside (a possibly I wish I had considered before I got more eggs). I honestly wasn't expecting anything to hatch but surprise . . .
Since I have a staggered hatch, it makes raising the humidity harder for the 'test eggs' because it alters the temp of the shelf that holds the 'official hatch.' I have it as high as I can get it (55-60%) without compromising the other eggs.
Also, it seems I was wrong about the eggs having pipped. It looks like they're still coming along but no pips yet. Maybe the one that hatched is an early bird?

 

[Lilyofsalen]

Also, about getting him a friend . . . Is it possible to put a smaller one week old with him? My brooder will have more than enough space for them.

 

[Nabiki]

Staggered hatches are a challenge even for experienced hatchers! It looks like your first one is definitely an early bird.

I would try your lonely chick with the younger ones, but I'd start with him in a basket or something inside the brooder so he can see but not touch for a day or so (I would do longer for adults, but chicks adapt pretty quickly) then let it in with the little ones. Watch carefully, though in case the older one is careless or pecks at the little ones.

I normally wouldn't recommend it, but since this is a lone chick, it has a pretty good chance of getting along with the younger ones.

 

[Lilyofsalen]

yeah, staggered hatches are hardcore--I won't be doing it again. It will be about a week before the next batch hatches. Out of the lone chick's batch, 3 eggs remain, when I candled them 2 were very dark. I would hate for him to be alone for a week and there are many who sell quail on craigslist in my area. However, all the young quail offered on craigslist are at least a week old. If I were to just get him a one-week-old, would they get along? Even if a couple more of his batch hatch out, there should be plenty of room in the brooder.

 

[Lilyofsalen]

Is it OK (assuming I am not interrupting hatching progress) if I put him back in the incubator for the night? The heating system for the brooder is a yellow light. I would hate to keep him up all night as the light goes on/off to regulate temp. The incubator would be nice and dark. Also, he's already been eating/drinking not sure if being cut off from that for a while would hurt him(especially if he has to wait for hatches to happen).

 

[Nabiki]

If it's already eating and drinking, I don't think that putting it back into the incubator is a good idea. Did you see an air cell in the three remaining eggs? They might still hatch, so you may want to hold off a bit before getting more chicks.

 

[Lilyofsalen]

Ok. Yes, it was hard to see but I saw air cells in two of three. The other looks like it gave up somewhere in development.