HELP! Intestines?? *PIC*

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Yes, I still have it isolated and it is doing ok. The sac has shrunk somewhat but not all the way. The other chick that was in with it passed early this afternoon

but I had a feeling it wouldn't make it.

I just tried putting the little fella in with some of the others and they did pick at him, so I put him back by himsef (or herself). How long do you think it will take to shrink to an unpeckable level? I need that brooder for the button quail which are also hatching but I don't want to push it.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Probably by tomorrow. Or you could make that corral with hardware cloth that I mentioned in the corner of the brooder so the others can't get to him. Then he would be in the brooder with others but they couldn't get to him.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

That's a good idea - he keeps peeping and I know he's lonely.

Another question please - I have an egg that pipped yesterday and still hasn't hatched. I know the chick is still alive and it's trying. The hole is bigger but it just hasn't zipped (hole is probably 1/4" in diameter if not a little more). Should I try to help it or just leave it?

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

If it's late day 22 or more, I would help it. It's likely stuck or just worn out from trying. Just go slowly. I usually gradually peel off the top of the egg, then let the chick finish out on it's own. The only thing is this...if the other chick had not absorbed all the yolk, it's possible that this one hasn't either. So be prepared to look in after you make the pip hole a bit larger for any yellow yolk. It there is a lot, you can usually see it.

Now this is just what I would do. You have to do what you think is best under the circumstances. Good luck whatever you decide...

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I'm thinking I should try; I really think it's worn out. Today is day 23 and it's the only viable (that I know of) egg left in there. There are 9 others that aren't doing anything and it's really starting to smell in there. Is that normal? Maybe the chicks that were in those other 9 eggs are dead and starting to rot (ewwww).

Should I worry about the humidity and killing the chick though? It's at 66% and I added warm water through the plastic tubing that I have feeding into one of the wells, but the well is full and overflowed and I can't get the humidity up any higher. I have plastic taped around the bator so I could probably stick my hand up without losing too much, but it will drop below 65%. I guess at this point it doesn't much matter...? Oh - and the hole is bigger than 1/4". It's a little bigger than a dime and just isn't progressing.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Keep us posted. Hope it goes well. Come on little chick...

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Still hanging in there but I don't think for long but I'd like to be surprised. Thanks for pulling for him/her. If it makes it, it will stay here; the rest are sold.

Happy to report that the little yolk sac-less one is doing just fine. I put a buddy in with him/her and it made a world of difference. Been eating and drinking too.

Will let you know in the morning...

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Update: Had to put the one we helped last night out of its misery this morning. I'm just sorry I let it suffer that long but I was holding out hope.

The little yolk sac chick is just fine and dandy though! Still hasn't shrunk all the way. Will it totally go away or will I have to somehow remove it?

Thanks for everyone's help and support. Overall I thought it was a good hatch - 29 good chicks out of 41 eggs. There were 9 eggs that didn't pip, then we lost 3.

Cindy

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Sorry about the ones you lost...it happens in most every hatch...especially one with 41 eggs.

Well done! The little yellow lump should eventually go away. It will probably just shrivel up and drop off. I would keep an eye on it though...maybe even put a little bit of betadine on it everyday.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Thank you! I will get some betadine and try that.

I do have another (actually 2) questions please. I noticed that the first hatch day went well and everybody was perfect. The longer the hatch lasted, the worse the chicks were. I was so afraid of the humidity getting too low, and so many people say don't open it or they will die. At what point does that happen and at what humidity level? Is it before they pip, after they pip, while they are hatching...? Once they've pipped and are breathing bator air, isn't regular air better?

As they were hatching, more than one at a time, the humidity shot up to 85% at times and I honestly think what did the later ones in was too MUCH humidity.

I guess if I can figure this humidity thing out and at what point too little is too little and too much is too much, then I'll be better prepared for next time (which is next weekend - setting the hatch). I'd just really like to understand this.

Thank you again for all of your help. This was tough but I am addicted now!!!

Cindy