Help! Chick may be shrinkwrapped...

[chickeneer45]

I really don't understand what happens when a chick gets shrinkwrapped, but I think that my chick may be shrinkwrapped. I waited 24 hours to remove the other five chicks, but the two remaining eggs had pipped. I only removed the incubator lid for about ten to twenty seconds. It has now been about twenty four hours since the chick pipped. If I tap the glass, I see the chick moving around a little and last night I heard him chirping. I can't really tell with the other egg because there is another eggshell in the way of the pip, but I think that that one might be dead. What do I do? How do I help this chick? Is it shrinkwrapped? Or is it just struggling to get out? Please help!

 

[chickeneer45]

Anyone??? I am really worried!!!!!!!! I need help!!!!!

 

[coolmind1999]

saddely there is no 100 percent way to get a chick out of shrink wrapped egg .... ive tried every thing but once it is shrink wrapped u cqnt doo nothing ...but if u insiste I coul tell u other methords my experience has been bad so im sorry if ur di hearted did not mean to . but hey ive seen my friends get about 4 chicks saved from shrink wrapped
maybe this helps : https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/572018/shrink-wrap

 

[coolmind1999]

If you feel he may be SHRINK wrapped (only YOU know what your cells, weight, and Humidity have been) maybe you should start reading how to help a chick...... I have watched a ton of videos on youtube and its done all the time with no problems and HAS SAVED many HEALTHY chicks!! PROOF on all those videos!



"Shrink wrap" vs. "Sticky chick"? https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/491421/shrink-wrap-vs-sticky-chick#post_6242987

Shrink wrapped: before pipping, both inner and out membranes dry tight around the chick; caused by too little humidity throughout incubation

Sticky chick: after pipping, the liquids dry becoming glue-like followed by concrete-like; caused by too little humidity during lockdown

Wet sticky or Swollen: the chick is swollen with water or simply very wet and sticky; caused by too high humidity throughout incubation

Drowning: the whitish outer membrane is dry while the clearish inner membrane is wet, binding the chick; also caused by too high humidity thoughout incubation

*Chicks experiencing more than one of the extreme conditions can exhibit multiple issues.
*These same issues can also occur during natural incubation, under a brooding hen.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/491421/shrink-wrap-vs-sticky-chick#post_6242987

 

[chickeneer45]

I freed the chick and it is very small and it won't stop chirping. I think there something wrong with its legs, but I don't know what. Whenever it tries to walk around it just tumbles over because its legs are all weird. One of them keeps going up to his head and I don't really know how to explain it. Its like he still in the same form he was in the egg; you know how they have to be curled up, and its like its legs are used to be curled up by his head.... idk, I am really worried about him... like I said; he won't stop chirping, not even for a second. Any ideas on the leg problem? Thanks.

 

[coolmind1999]

maybe he is crippeled

 

[LuckyLouanne]

I was wondering what happened to that chick. I have a quail chick that hatched yesterday (7/17/2013) and is exhibiting the same symptoms. Did that chick make it?

 

[kyliewylie]

Don't let anyone tell you a chick can not be helped because he is "shrink wrapped". You did what you had to do to save its life. The chick still may be very weak from hatching. I had a chick that I had to assist hatch and I thought for sure it was going to die when it refused to stand up and move about correctly because it wanted to assume the hatching position (It is now one of the most lively and beautiful chicks I have). It's feet didn't look ready to stand but with rest he was up after flopping around for most of the night. Keep it in the warm incubator and make sure it has access to food and water after 48 hours. Don't leave a weak chick unattended with standing water or it may drown in it. You can gently dip just the tip of his beak in the water and wait for him to drink the drop before trying again. Don't overdo it. As for the legs, they may need bracing while it develops. Failure to brace them will result in them developing incorrectly and a lame chicken. Here is a useful link to bracing.

Give the chick time to recoup for the energy wasted from trying to hatch and be mindful of its temperature, food, and water needs. Time will tell if he has enough fight in him.

 

[chickeneer45]

Thank you so much. The chick is still alive, but it seems like there is something really wrong with its legs. Its left leg looks like the joint somehow grew in the wrong place so his foot is twice or maybe three times the length of a normal foot and his leg is shorter, he can still walk and seems to be doing fine, but it is a bit difficult for him to move. I will take him out of the incubator tomorrow morning and put him with the other chicks. Fingers crossed his movement will improve.

 

[kyliewylie]

Make sure you keep a close eye on him when he is with the other chicks. They may pick at him too much for him to sleep and build up strength. Just make sure they are getting along well before you leave them alone for long periods of time.

Glad to hear he is still alive. I'm not sure what can be done for that leg but keep his quality of life in mind. If he can move around alright without great distress keep it up (nothing wrong with a slightly "special" chick), but if he cannot get to food and water than don't let him suffer.