I'm so horrified, I just killed a perfectly healthy chick :'(

[SoORchick73]

I had two heavy squashes on top of the brooder to keep the cat out. When I opened it one rolled in and broke a chicks neck. In front of my 8&5 year olds. It was AWFUL. I haven't been this upset in a long time. Her neck was broken. She was buried in the back yard, my son named her "sweet little angel" and made her a headstone with one of his treasured rocks. This was our first incubator hatching (13 of 17 have hatched so far). I'm heartsick.

 

[BantyChooks]

Oh no, I am so sorry!

 

[Leigti]

That would be very devastating. I am sorry for you and your kids. Accidents do happen though. Time to figure out a different option to keep the cat out. My cat pays no attention to them until they escape then the Chase is on. I almost lost one to the cat this year. I didn't realize it was old enough to fly out of the bin that I was using. So I realize how quickly something can happen. I hope the other chicks do well.

 

[SoORchick73]

It was so awful I keep crying

The others are good except two have splay leg and I assisted one to hatch and his toes look funny...he was a HUGE chick and pipped and zipped about 90% for 6+ hours and membranes were totally dried out and tan/tough. His peeping was lessening (day 23) so I decided to assist. He laid in the incubator unable to get up, so once he fluffed I put him with the two others that I have splinted with rubber band/straw. I tried tape but it didn't seem right. The 3 in the "icu" isolated seem to be doing fine but I'm wondering if the rubber band/straw is working. I'm also doing "cup" exercises, putting them in a tiny jar for 20 minutes every few hours to exercise them and help them push around and keep them upright. The banded ones don't look right to me...it's making their legs stick straight forward. And new one with curled looking toes?? All so new to me. I feel overwhelmed tonight.