Help with hatching!!

[EmuChemainusBC]

I heartily agree. You're experienced in hatching emu...as a hobby or commercially?

 

[birdeo]

Just have been raising them for many years now ( over 20)
Experience is your best teacher but comes with much trials and tribulations.

 

[dodo84]

Wow! 20 years how many have you hatched? Yes the chick was in the wrong position. I was keeping an eye on the chick and about 11.00 it's breathing started to get very labored so I felt for the beak and made a small hole in the membrane so baby could get more air. Unfortunately it sounded like he had inhaled fluid and was gasping with mouth open, as he seemed very weak and there was no bleeding where I cut the membrane I decided it was time he got out. I unwrapped him from shell and membrane. His navel is slightly enlarged also he's still attached to the membranes. Going let that alone and see what happens. I soaked the whole area down with betadine and gave him a CC of save-A-chick then put him under the brooder lamp and went to bed. This morning hes looking much better! Thanks for the good advice! I was really freaking out this is only my second time hatching emus and I'd not had a problem before. If I can get my camera working I'll post pics.

 

[birdeo]

Wow! 20 years how many have you hatched? Yes the chick was in the wrong position. I was keeping an eye on the chick and about 11.00 it's breathing started to get very labored so I felt for the beak and made a small hole in the membrane so baby could get more air. Unfortunately it sounded like he had inhaled fluid and was gasping with mouth open, as he seemed very weak and there was no bleeding where I cut the membrane I decided it was time he got out. I unwrapped him from shell and membrane. His navel is slightly enlarged also he's still attached to the membranes. Going let that alone and see what happens. I soaked the whole area down with betadine and gave him a CC of save-A-chick then put him under the brooder lamp and went to bed. This morning hes looking much better! Thanks for the good advice! I was really freaking out this is only my second time hatching emus and I'd not had a problem before. If I can get my camera working I'll post pics.

Hi dodo84,

Good news he seems better after all that, what a work out for both of you .
Sounds like you are very intuitive per what needed to be done, kudos to you !
Sure hope the little one thrives but they can have lingering issues after going through a difficult hatch .
Would prob. be a good idea to dab that belly button a few more times for the next couple of days, just to be safe.
Please do
post a photo when you get a chance !

per how many I've hatched...lost count a long time ago .

 

[dodo84]

Thank you for the kind words! It was hit or miss with him, could have gone badly wrong (I'm lucky it didn't) had he stayed in the shell much longer I think I would have lost him. Today he is up and eating/drinking/walking seems fine (maybe a little slower then the others) but getting stronger all the time. And for your viewing pleasure


This is the little guy that was stuck


again


that's him in the back

food is sure yummy!

 

[birdeo]

He or she is soo cute , thanks for the pics . !

It looks like the " wee waddly one " , just hopes it utilizes it's yolk sack allright ...time will tell.
Would def. keep a close eye on for weeks to come.
It sure is a fighter and so are you for pulling it through that tough time !

 

[dodo84]

Yep, this baby is a fighter. And very determined! Do you think a round of antibiotics might be called for? in case hes not absorbing the yolk quite right. If so what would you recommend?
Ether way I will be keeping an eagle eye on him!

 

[The Sheriff]

Very cute babies. I'm jealous.

 

[birdeo]

Yep, this baby is a fighter. And very determined! Do you think a round of antibiotics might be called for? in case hes not absorbing the yolk quite right. If so what would you recommend?
Ether way I will be keeping an eagle eye on him!

I guess that would be your call, personally I don't throw antibiotics at what " could be" for the over use of them is not good for many reasons.

There's no hard proof that yolk sack retention is always due to infection.
If you dabbed that belly button right off, and several times after, then if it happens best guess is it was prob. not due to an infection.

 

[dodo84]

I don't normally use antibiotics (have been largely organic for years) in fact I don't even keep them in the house. But I won't let any animal get sick or be in pain just so I can say no drugs. And I do totally agree over use is a huge problem. I only asked because you mentioned not absorbing yolk sacks and in doing more research antibiotics seem the first action most take. I would rather not use them, and Giant Tiny (had to have a name

) looks good, Is eating well, walking better, and no distended belly. Although he doesn't regulate temp as well as the others.