Incubating and discouraged

[cosmosue]

Awe I hope she makes it!

 

[RosieR]

Awe I hope she makes it!

Ran home at break to check on her. She’s still scooting around on her belly with her head down. Eyes still shut, and still looking not so fluffy.
I think I’m going to have to wash her a bit when I get home again to get the gunk off her.
I’m going to pick up some vitamins tomorrow, but I have nothing to give her now. Any ideas of how to get her to sit upright?

 

[cosmosue]

Awe sorry Rosie I don’t have any ideas except maybe give her something more solid to stand on, what’s she got now? How about what I call “a cuddle” like a washcloth or a soft toy that she can’t eat? Something like that. I have some that are smaller than they should be so I separated them out and gave them a “cuddle” LOL

 

[RosieR]

Awe sorry Rosie I don’t have any ideas except maybe give her something more solid to stand on, what’s she got now? How about what I call “a cuddle” like a washcloth or a soft toy that she can’t eat? Something like that. I have some that are smaller than they should be so I separated them out and gave them a “cuddle” LOL

She’s on shelf liner now in the bator. I wondered about making her a wash cloth “nest” when I get home. I think that hatch took a lot out of her. We’ll see what she looks like when I get home I guess.

 

[Sara L]

Getting the gunk off and some vitamins should help. Might try a bowl with washcloth inside for her to sit on so she is supported but has traction in case she wants to try and move around?

 

[cosmosue]

Omg a bowl with a washcloth - why didn’t I think of that! I gave mine a washcloth but not the bowl because they were sleeping in the food bowl LOL but they didn’t use it they kept sleeping in the food only a couple of them slept on the cloth, maybe if I put the cloth in the bowl......

Getting the gunk off and some vitamins should help. Might try a bowl with washcloth inside for her to sit on so she is supported but has traction in case she wants to try and move around?

 

[RosieR]

I gave her a bit of a bath to get the rest of the goop off her head. She can open her eyes now.
She’s still doing this weird belly crawl, idk if there’s something wrong with her legs or she’s just very weak.
I dipped her beak in water and she drank. Idk if she can quite reach the food and water from her nest, but there’s some crumbs in there for her and I’ll dip her beak in water occasionally.
Poor thing, am I doing the right thing by babying her or is culling kinder? Should I give it a few days to see if she perks up?

 

[BobDBirdDog]

If born today, it may be a day or two before it starts pecking and feeding, they usually go to water before they want to eat after birth but will peck around as well in the meantime. Belly crawling is because the feet are/were balled up and the legs are stiff. Cant walk...

The ligaments probably started hardening in the shell or something like that.
Balled feet- you can to open them up and tape them in their normal positions, Think spreading your fingers apart. Years ago I used aluminum duct tape and cut two small triangles (for each foot) for the toes (top and bottom). Sandwich the spread toes between the upper and lower triangle tamp and press together.. it acts like a cast. They cant walk well but it will (forest gump) straighten them out. get the aluminum tape (more expensive) but sticks better (makes a better cast) and comes off more easy than the cheap stuff. being like aluminum foil it molds and holds better. Most Wally worlds has the alum duct tape, Its back in the glue and house paint sections with the rest of the various hardware tape ($7-$8).

As for the legs they probably need a little straightening too but add that after a day if the feet cast doesn't work (keep using the cast until toes are straight, about 2-3 days). Plastic straws cut down the sides will help but can cut into the skin. Cut to length and Melt the ends so it wont be sharp.

 

[RosieR]

If born today, it may be a day or two before it starts pecking and feeding, they usually go to water before they want to eat after birth but will peck around as well in the meantime. Belly crawling is because the feet are/were balled up and the legs are stiff. Cant walk...

The ligaments probably started hardening in the shell or something like that.
Balled feet- you can to open them up and tape them in their normal positions, Think spreading your fingers apart. Years ago I used aluminum duct tape and cut two small triangles (for each foot) for the toes (top and bottom). Sandwich the spread toes between the upper and lower triangle tamp and press together.. it acts like a cast. They cant walk well but it will (forest gump) straighten them out. get the aluminum tape (more expensive) but sticks better (makes a better cast) and comes off more easy than the cheap stuff. being like aluminum foil it molds and holds better. Most Wally worlds has the alum duct tape, Its back in the glue and house paint sections with the rest of the various hardware tape ($7-$8).

As for the legs they probably need a little straightening too but add that after a day if the feet cast doesn't work (keep using the cast until toes are straight, about 2-3 days). Plastic straws cut down the sides will help but can cut into the skin. Cut to length and Melt the ends so it wont be sharp.

Thanks I’ll address the feet and leg issues in the morning.

 

[cosmosue]

I wouldn’t cull her I would just wait it out unless it’s obvious she’s not gonna eat or drink and just die, she may just be really weak, they can go quite some time without much food because of the yolk. I’ve heard some people will leave them in the incubator for about 3 days. I’ve only left one for 26 hours, couldn’t stand to look at its lonely face anymore waiting on its friends to hatch so I took it out and cuddled it lol the rest were fine later but they took 2 more days!