help-not fluffing

[Momma_mia]

I have some new chicks that aren't totally fluffing up. They aren't wet. It's like their fluff is glued together with hardened egg. One is mostly fluffed, one is mostly "glued" and the other two are in-between. They were all early hatchers. It's been over 24 hours. Is this normal? What should I do? Thanks.

 

[debilorrah]

First off, this means your humidity was not high enough. Second, you can either clean it off with a warm towel, or you can let it be and it will grow out. Are they up and walking and making noise?

 

[Momma_mia]

They are active. Pecking and drinking and "talking." I have an old incubator. The lid needs to come off to pour water in the bowl...but I know the lid shouldn't come off or humidity is released... Perhaps a solution would be adding a wet sponge inside as well? I'll try wiping the chicks. Thanks, if you have any more thoughts I'd appreciate it. I'm new to this.

 

[CorralitosSunflower]

It is also possible the opposite is true. My last hatch of ducklings I had the humidity really high and although the ducklings were in the bator for up to 12 hours after hatching they never fully dried until I took them out. Once out and under a warm hairdryer they fluffed up nicely

If they are glued you can take a warm wet wash cloth and bath them, I would recommend drying them with a warm hairdryer afterward making sure to move it around so they don't get too hot in one spot. If you still have eggs in the bator and you are able to carry it (ever so carefully) I would recommend taking it into the bathroom and running a really hot steamy shower so that when you open it you don't lose your humidity. In this way you can take hatchlings out and replenish water supplies

Congrats on your babies!

 

[debilorrah]

You have to consider your climate too as far as humidity goes.... Here is my chick that was TOTALLY shrink wrapped before and after:

 

[vetgirl00us]

My three that hatched Wed were the same way. I helped them all out of their eggs because the 3 that pipped before them died after 12 hours still in the shell. I don't know if I upped the humidity too much too fast - it stayed in the low 70's or if it was a temp problem or what. I was NOT gonna let the middle 3 die like that so they'd barely pipped before I was making sure they were gonna get OUT of that shell. I don't know what shrink wrapped or too much humidity looks like shell or membrane wise but I got them out. They did not dry off completely or fluff out until Thursday. I don't know if they were just wet or what. They didn't feel wet but they didn't feel glued either. Dunno. Thank goodness mine were standing and fluffy when I got home yesterday. I hope yours do better!

 

[Momma_mia]

Thanks for the great info. I'm guessing it is a humidity problem - our climate is super dry. Chicks sure look healthy despite not fluffing up properly at least. Cheers!