Issues with new incubated chicks

[CW Chick]

Hello all,

I have been loving my chickens for 15 years now ♥ always buying them from our Co-Op.
I'm new to BYC - Howdy, and to incubation - here's my story. . . .

So apparently one of my girls was getting out, we have a new pen setup, and working on a private clutch of eggs. I was only made aware when something attacked and killed her, and half her eggs are gone.
I had a new incubator on my self, it was on sale and so rushed to set it up via the directions and get the eggs in. Many things were done not to code - not the least of which is the fact that all the eggs were at different stages/ages - yikes.

1-day in and the first one mostly pecked out over the next two days, it dried and died.
5-days in and the second was rowdy and with a little help at the end was set free, because it's feathers were stuck, is out and normal.

Here is where I come to my issues -
7-days in and one more has zipped, but is not rowdy and so after reading here I help it to finish before it to drys out. It was done, did not bleed, was talking, but it cannot stand, is not rowdy/healthy, one leg is always stretched out back.
8-days in and another one is in the same state. They sleep all the time.

Today, I gave them all fresh warmed water and the opportunity to eat, only the rowdy one ate, but they all enjoyed the water. I'll keep trying.

Q-: What can I do for the not-thriving chicks? Is there any hope?

I have since found another chicken with a hidden clutch in our hay barn - I am supporting her efforts

Thank You ~

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

For hatching chicks in an incubator that are within the last few days of hatching, it should be at 99.5 F degrees and around 70% humidity.

I would put the not-thriving chicks back in the incubator for another 12/24 hours. Assisting them out is usually the cause of their problems, but it could be something else.

Be sure the surface of the incubator isn't slippery. If it is, I use rubber shelf liner in mine.

Good luck with your hatch!!

You may need to smash the chick crumbles a little for their first day or two as sometimes those little pieces aren't small enough for them.

 

[Penpal]

Newly hatched chicks are living off the remains of the yolk. They don't have to eat right away, three days is fine, which is why they can be shipped across the country with no food or water.

Your new hatchlings can just chill until they feel like eating. I once had hatchery chicks delivered at day five who all did well.

 

[CW Chick]

Thank you for the replies I will chill, what else can I do....
I have assisted 2 more and they are very rowdy. So I'm sure the two that are not standing or walking were due to my ignorance with the the incubation process :/