Late hatch - assistance?

[Bluemonster107]

I have an 18 batch... lock down day 14, 4 hatched day 16, 2 hatched day 17, and 2 hatched day 18.
So we are now on day 19 and there are a few eggs with pips that I can see and one egg “almost” open and you can hear the Chic cherp....been that way since yesterday...
two questions... do I help that little one out? Or just leave it? And how many more days to leave the rest? Do I help them at all?

 

[le_bwah]

That half-zipped egg looks a bit dry—how's the humidity? If that one's still in the same position tonight, I would personally consider helping them the rest of the way out. Some people feel differently, and can probably give you other ways to move forward.

Resist the urge to help the pipping ones! I know it seems harsh to ignore a critter in distress, but it's likely that most of them will make it out okay, just a little late. Remember that it can take a while between pip and zip.

The hatchery I got my eggs from lists Day 23 as the day to worry about the unhatched—give them more time (and make sure the humidity is still high!).

 

[Bluemonster107]

That half-zipped egg looks a bit dry—how's the humidity? If that one's still in the same position tonight, I would personally consider helping them the rest of the way out.....

Humidity is between 65%-78%.... as I have been checking everyday and when hits 65%, I add warm water droppers through an air vent to bump back up.
Thank you for your personal opinion... those are the ones I like!! I understand sometimes it’s just survival of the fittest... but that one little nugget seems to need help

 

[Bluemonster107]

I went ahead and helped that little one... poor thing was just chirping away and I felt terrible... so finally out of that shell... seems relieved! Hopefully does okay.. was yapping and moving all around so we shall see... still 9 left and a few with pips.. hopefully those late comers will still join the party

 

[Bluemonster107]

Something I did notice is that this little one that was stuck in its shell has its feet still under-turned... I am guessing from being in that shell too long stuck??? Wonder if they will flatten???

 

[le_bwah]

Something I did notice is that this little one that was stuck in its shell has its feet still under-turned... I am guessing from being in that shell too long stuck??? Wonder if they will flatten???

If its feet don't straighten out by tonight, it could be worth looking into making some little tape "shoes" to help things get growing in the right direction. Look up how to straighten a chick's toes on BYC—there are multiple good articles.

 

[Bluemonster107]

If its feet don't straighten out by tonight, it could be worth looking into making some little tape "shoes" to help things get growing in the right direction. Look up how to straighten a chick's toes on BYC—there are multiple good articles.

I did look through a bunch of different post here on it... and it seems they are more “fused”... like a genetic thing... as I was reading some others had experienced... could be also why he just wasn’t coming out of that shell!
He pretty lonely in that bator alone.. but man! Super active!... I will move em on over to his group tomorrow after more time to fluff up...

 

[Bluemonster107]

Little update on the little handicapped chic... man! That little runt is very active and was very happy to move into the brooder with the rest of the group this morning ... went right along with them... hopping around.. eating and drinking ... no idea how long it can survive like that... basically feet that don’t work fused at the ankle joint)... anyone else have one like that and how long they were able to live?

 

[le_bwah]

Little update on the little handicapped chic... man! That little runt is very active and was very happy to move into the brooder with the rest of the group this morning ... went right along with them... hopping around.. eating and drinking ... no idea how long it can survive like that... basically feet that don’t work fused at the ankle joint)... anyone else have one like that and how long they were able to live?

Can you post a pic? I might be imagining something worse than it actually is, but I'd personally cull a chick with locomotion issues—such deformities typically become more pronounced with age.

 

[007Sean]

I would recommend not raising the humidity above 65%. High humidity can cause 'stuck' chicks, like the one you had to assist.
When the humidity is at saturation or close to it, it has an adverse effect on their ability to zip, causes them to become stuck, they can't turn to zip. This causes the curled toes, takes too long to get out of the shell.