humidity problems?

[BarrettG]

So one of what I think it's my last hatched chick's has a long stringy sack like tissue attached to its vent I guess is still connected. Is that an ambilical cord? Will it fall of by itself or should I pull it off?

I'm going to see what the other eggs look like tomorrow morning but it looks like the ride is over. Considering I put in a lot of eggs older than 10 days I'm left with 13 chick's and 9 unhatched eggs. I think it would of been better had I had eggs that were fresher.

 

[FridayYet]

It is the umbilical cord and should fall off by itself. If it doesn't, and it dries up by tomorrow you can cut it closer to the chick so it doesn't get caught on things, picked at, or stepped on by the others. I had one chick that was dragging around the bottom half of the shell and I was afraid it would catch on something. I separated the chick and cut the cord about 1/2 inch from the chick when I could tell it was good and dry.

Have fun with your fluffies!

Are you going to candle and/or water candle tomorrow?

 

[BarrettG]

I checked the other eggs when I got home from work. I cracked them open slowly. 4 were nothing but muck and 3 were full grown chick's that were just still and dead. I wonder why they never hatched? My niece ( I suspect ) accidentally killed one of my babies by dropping it. She's only 4 and my 8 year old caught her holding a chick when she was told not too.

I have one chick now who was my last hatch, I think it's a he, is just standing like a drunken fool and bending his head down and then bringing his head up like it's waking up.it does it over and over for the last 3 hrs. It's not laying down or keeping it's eyes open. It is barely eating. I kind of forced it to drink. Any ideas on what I should do. I'm trying to be positive and tell my self is a day younger that's why he's not running around.

Also, when is a good time to use wood shavings and when can I supervise them in my grass? I still have them on paper towel. This chick thing is fun but it gets me nervous lol

 

[FridayYet]

It really can be nerve wracking!

Do you have any nutri-drench or save a chick? They are electrolyte replacements that will help your little one. You can also take a hard boiled egg yolk and smash some in some water with a pinch of sugar and feed the weak one with a dropper. Infant vitamin drops without iron can be really helpful, too.

I usually wait a couple of days until they are all walking well and eating well before switching to shavings - maybe 2-3 days? As long as they are eating and drinking, and fairly steady on their feet they should be OK.

You'll need a playpen (circle of chicken wire) or something if you are going to take them out. They become lightning fast really quickly and almost impossible to catch.

Are you feeding medicated feed?

 

[drewskimac]

It's really humid where I live. I open the incubator while there are still pips all the time and I never have problems with shrink wrapping. In fact, the only problem I have ever had is too high humidity. You will learn what works for you for where you live and for your incubator.

Goodluck!

 

[BarrettG]

It really can be nerve wracking!

Do you have any nutri-drench or save a chick?  They are electrolyte replacements that will help your little one.  You can also take a hard boiled egg yolk and smash some in some water with a pinch of sugar and feed the weak one with a dropper. Infant vitamin drops without iron can be really helpful, too.

I usually wait a couple of days until they are all walking well and eating well before switching to shavings - maybe 2-3 days?  As long as they are eating and drinking, and fairly steady on their feet they should be OK.

You'll need a playpen (circle of chicken wire) or something if you are going to take them out.  They become lightning fast really quickly and almost impossible to catch. 

Are you feeding medicated feed?

Yes I am feeding them medicated feed. I just sprinkle some on the floor. I read it helps them with their natural instincts but then they are eating where they poop. I put marbles in the waterer but I took them out today. They seem like they won't drown. I actually have some save a chick. I just gave the birds that. Hopefully that helps.

 

[FridayYet]

Sounds like things are going well. After the chicks get the eating idea from the paper towels, its usually OK to start feeding them from a feeder. As an intermediate step you can use a big jar lid on the floor - I often do for a couple of days.

Another thing I like to do is to put a plug of your sod into the brooder. The chicks will peck at the dirt and start to get used to the native soil around your house to build natural immunity. I usually start day 3 or so and change it out every couple of days.

 

[BarrettG]

I'm having a problem now with pasty butt on two of them. How does that happen? Can I prevent it? I put their little tush under warm water to take it out for now

 

[FridayYet]

Good to keep their little bums clean!

Pasty butt can be caused by the brooder being too warm. Have you taken the temp and can they get away from the heat? Try to get one end 90-95 and the other end of the brooder a lot less. Put your food and ware in the cool end.

The chicks will go back and forth to regulate their own temperature that way.

If yout temps are good, you can try a splash of natural apple cider vinegar in their water. - The kind with the "mother" such as Braggs. The probiotics can help their digestion.

 

[BarrettG]

I have a huge heat bulb that gets to hot I think. I'm going to invest in that yellow lamp thing I think. Oh, I actually have a little red bulb that may hit 95. I'm going to try that.