Incubator fell during hatch HELP!

[Marcia Regula]

First timer here, both posting and hatching. My chickens were due today, I noticed several piped this morning @ 0400 or so. I left for work at 06am. I had cameras set up so I could check in. At around 8am I pulled up the video and there was the first chick, peeping his little head off. Then disaster... I didn't even think about the cat becoming interested, suddenly, the incubator was no longer in view. I zoomed home at lunch 11:30. It was carnage. Two chicks out and dead, 1 egg distroyed, and 4 more crumbled and cold but still alive. I could see the putter membrane was dry. I laid some warm wet paper towel in the incubator and put the remaining salvageable eggs back in. Two hatched fine. One had the membrane dried and tight around it's middle so I snipped it off and put him back in, those three are doing fine. Now it's just #4. It was barely pipped before it fell from the counter top. It's whole beak is out and most of the shell has cracked off, but the putter membrane is dry-ish and tough and the inturnal membrane still has what looks like vanes with a good bit of blood in them. How long do I let her sit before I help, it's been 12 hrs since she pipped but no progress has been made since I put it back in the incubator. There's plenty of humidity in there now but she was on the floor for 4 hours. Any ideas?

 

[redranger209]

I hate cats, even before this story.

 

[redranger209]

And increase the humidity a ton.

 

[Forrnellie]

Same just happened to me. I wouldn’t be surprised if the cat goes missing tomorrow. end of Day 23 now. Question we have one chick hatch and moving around before the attack. Now have 3 or 4 cracked. I saw movement but also see blood. Could have been from other eggs. Should I try anything besides raising humidity?

 

[pidgejr]

First timer here, both posting and hatching. My chickens were due today, I noticed several piped this morning @ 0400 or so. I left for work at 06am. I had cameras set up so I could check in. At around 8am I pulled up the video and there was the first chick, peeping his little head off. Then disaster... I didn't even think about the cat becoming interested, suddenly, the incubator was no longer in view. I zoomed home at lunch 11:30. It was carnage. Two chicks out and dead, 1 egg distroyed, and 4 more crumbled and cold but still alive. I could see the putter membrane was dry. I laid some warm wet paper towel in the incubator and put the remaining salvageable eggs back in. Two hatched fine. One had the membrane dried and tight around it's middle so I snipped it off and put him back in, those three are doing fine. Now it's just #4. It was barely pipped before it fell from the counter top. It's whole beak is out and most of the shell has cracked off, but the putter membrane is dry-ish and tough and the inturnal membrane still has what looks like vanes with a good bit of blood in them. How long do I let her sit before I help, it's been 12 hrs since she pipped but no progress has been made since I put it back in the incubator. There's plenty of humidity in there now but she was on the floor for 4 hours. Any ideas?

The last one with the membrane, would be good to read up the Article section on Assited hatching on this site. For a quick rundown, Dont assist as long as the membrane has veins. On exposed membrane, but bacitracin or neosporin (with NO pain relief additive in it) to wet the membrane so you can tell when all the veins have retracted. She wont be ready to come out till all the veins are gone. SOme just take longer. Keep her in the incubator. When all the veins looks retracted, if the shell is cracked she will come out when ready if she hasnt already

 

[Forrnellie]

Thank you. I have read assisted hatching before and it seems the membrane was not damaged. But so much trauma falling so I am not sure. Humidity is up and I’m letting them settle a bit. Membrane is moist and the one hatched chick is still drying. Doesn’t seem too wet but I also worry about it being too humid in there for the little survivor so getting the brooder warmed up quick.