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Help -- "Sticky" chick?

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by Chickhick, Jun 13, 2010.

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  1. Jun 13, 2010 #1
    Chickhick

    Chickhick Songster

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    Apr 17, 2010
    North Alabama
    I'm not sure what is meant by a "sticky" chick, but I think mine might be one. It was a long time (over 24 hours) since pip, so the membrane had dried out and she was "shrink wrapped" in her shell. I had to help her out, and now she seems fine... flopping and walking around like a normal one. A large patch of membrane is stuck to her back, though, and all her "fur" is stiff and crunchy and stuck against her skin. Other than that she seems normal, but I don't know what to do about her hard stuck-down fluff. Do I bathe her? Or just leave her alone? It doesn't look comfortable, but I don't want to wash her if some of the stuck-on-stuff is stuff she is still absorbing or something, since her hatch wasn't 100% natural nad she had a bit of an umbilical cord when she came out. What do I do?
     
  2. Jun 13, 2010 #2
    SarahIrl

    SarahIrl Songster

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    When the umbilicus has gone, wash her with warm water. I dunked one of mine in a bowl of warm/hot water, and rubbed it dry afterwards and put it under the heat lamp. It was fine after, but didn't like it at all. It was covered in gunk, but no membrane. I probably shouldn't have, but was worried about hurting the chick trying to rub out the messy bits. So, it had a nice deep bath instead! I kept hold of the tip of it's beak so it couldn't drown.
     
  3. Jun 13, 2010 #3
    sonew123

    sonew123 Poultry Snuggie

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    onchiota NY
    I have that happen numerous times and i got to the point where I just let it remain-unless it was creating a disiability. Otherwise within a week or two the fluff comes off with the dried crud:)
     
  4. Jun 13, 2010 #4
    Bat Cave Silkies

    Bat Cave Silkies Songster

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    Bat Cave, NC
    I've had that happen twice, I think. I just flaked it off gently with my fingernails over a couple of days. I handle every chick, every day, and the "sticky" ones just got a good scratchin' with their handling.
     
  5. Jun 13, 2010 #5
    Chickhick

    Chickhick Songster

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    Apr 17, 2010
    North Alabama
    Okay... that is great to hear that it isn't a big deal! [​IMG] I was afraid that it was horrible for their skin or something. So I basically have 2 options: wash or don't wash. [​IMG] Thanks!
     

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