Hands on hatching and help

[jeepgirl13]

Now I'm glad I went to try to sleep. Here we are 5 hrs later and chicks have still not dried cuz the humidity is up to 80% in there.

 

[aart]

They may be dry, but the 'hatching goop' makes them look wet.
Excess 'goop'(yes, that's the technical term-haha!) can be from excessive humidity throughout the incubation.
The dried goop will wear off in time, or you can help it along with a very soft and dry toothbrush. Don't use water.

..and yes, there is usually a chunk of poop and/or gunk left in shell or attached to chick after hatching.

 

[jeepgirl13]

They may be dry, but the 'hatching goop' makes them look wet.
Excess 'goop'(yes, that's the technical term-haha!) can be from excessive humidity throughout the incubation.
The dried goop will wear off in time, or you can help it along with a very soft and dry toothbrush. Don't use water.

..and yes, there is usually a chunk of poop and/or gunk left in shell or attached to chick after hatching.

So should I go ahead and pull them out and wipe them down? Then do bingo immediately to the warm brooder or back in the incubator?

I've got a baby washcloth I was using last night oon the chick I assisted. It's super soft and was taking a lot of work to clean off the dried membrane on him.

 

[jeepgirl13]

You said I dont HAVE to clean them, so can i just move them to the brooder so little flash isnt lonely? Flash is what i named the first chick that hatched. That little one was out ad dried off so quick!!

 

[jeepgirl13]

They may be dry, but the 'hatching goop' makes them look wet.
Excess 'goop'(yes, that's the technical term-haha!) can be from excessive humidity throughout the incubation.
The dried goop will wear off in time, or you can help it along with a very soft and dry toothbrush. Don't use water.

..and yes, there is usually a chunk of poop and/or gunk left in shell or attached to chick after hatching.

I wish I was a chicken juggler..... that is an AWESOME visual!!

 

[ScottyGill]

that's too cute! He was involved earlier today, but when its bedtime, its bedtime. Weve also got a 4month old who doesnt want to let anyone sleep, except himself. My older son and I got to see the first baby hatch out. I recorded a bunch of short clips of that one. Then he assisted me with the assist hatch, by holding the light and asking a lot of questions. He went to bed and didnt get to see number 3. I didnt either. Just all of a sudden heard peeping as I'm cleaning off the assist chick

Aw how lovely to share with kids. Though it can be a hard lesson for them as well. How old is the one who helped? Hope you get some sleep tonight

 

[ScottyGill]

You said I dont HAVE to clean them, so can i just move them to the brooder so little flash isnt lonely? Flash is what i named the first chick that hatched. That little one was out ad dried off so quick!!

Haha I called my quick one zippy

 

[ScottyGill]

They may be dry, but the 'hatching goop' makes them look wet.
Excess 'goop'(yes, that's the technical term-haha!) can be from excessive humidity throughout the incubation.
The dried goop will wear off in time, or you can help it along with a very soft and dry toothbrush. Don't use water.

..and yes, there is usually a chunk of poop and/or gunk left in shell or attached to chick after hatching.

Ah thanks for this. The last one hatched my hubby removed her from incubator as she was beating up the assisted hatch chick. He said she wasn’t dry but she didn’t look it and still doesn’t though she is. I have a very soft bamboo toothbrush, I’ll give her a wee brush! Glad I read this because it’s worried me why she looks wet thought she’s absolutely fine!

 

[jeepgirl13]

He is 11. We talked about how some chicks might not make it. Weve had loss to predator and illness in our flocks over the years so he understands loss. Were still hopeful the chick will be alright! He still seems to be having trouble moving around this morning, but hopefully he keeps getting stronger!

 

[jeepgirl13]

Ah thanks for this. The last one hatched my hubby removed her from incubator as she was beating up the assisted hatch chick. He said she wasn’t dry but she didn’t look it and still doesn’t though she is. I have a very soft bamboo toothbrush, I’ll give her a wee brush! Glad I read this because it’s worried me why she looks wet thought she’s absolutely fine!

This is why little flash spent the night in the brooder alone. He was beating but the assisted chick. Chickens can be ruthelss