Lockdown screw up...

[hysop]

I haven’t done guineas yet this year, though I’m collecting eggs to incubate now. I aim for 99.5 for both guineas and chicks. I try to adjust the incubator to get the ideal hatching time of 21 days for chickens, rather than only following the calibrated external temperature gauge. So, last year I had the incubator at a mean of 98.8-99.5 F and still had guineas hatching at 26 days. So, that’s what I plan to do this year as well. I aim for chickens to be at 30 (25-35)% humidity for incubation, and guineas about 10% higher. At lockdown, I aim for the same for both, about 60-70%. I have a styrofoam digital hovobator with a turner - that setup worked great for guineas last year.

Thank you so much. I have bookmarked your reply for next week.

 

[sunnie7]

This morning before work I went ahead and moved the 13 keets into the brooder. I believe I have 12 pearls and 1 lavender, I’m including a picture of my original flock they came from. I have 3 eggs that have pipped and 2 I could hear a little chirp from when I picked them up so I’m really hoping for some more!

My little one that I assisted is trying to move around, I’m just not sure if it’s going to make it. It’s looking better but not good. I helped it drink some water and I’ll add a pack of chick vitamins To their water when I get home this afternoon.

I also found one with both legs splayed (going out to the side). Another new for me. So I’ll be attempting to wrap those this afternoon also. I’ve been researching already this morning and this article was helpful!
https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2012/04/spraddle-leg.html?m=1

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

This morning before work I went ahead and moved the 13 keets into the brooder. I believe I have 12 pearls and 1 lavender, I’m including a picture of my original flock they came from. I have 3 eggs that have pipped and 2 I could hear a little chirp from when I picked them up so I’m really hoping for some more!
View attachment 2135507
View attachment 2135509View attachment 2135510

My little one that I assisted is trying to move around, I’m just not sure if it’s going to make it. It’s looking better but not good. I helped it drink some water and I’ll add a pack of chick vitamins To their water when I get home this afternoon.
View attachment 2135511

I also found one with both legs splayed (going out to the side). Another new for me. So I’ll be attempting to wrap those this afternoon also. I’ve been researching already this morning and this article was helpful!
https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2012/04/spraddle-leg.html?m=1
View attachment 2135512

Awww, what adorable babies! Congratulations!!!
ive treated a few keets successfully for spraddle leg using a small rubber band taped at the middle after positioning it.

 

[sunnie7]

I have two more hatched! I’m also shocked at how well the crippled one is getting around and eating. I attempted to make shoes for its toes with cardboard and vet wrap but it slipped right off and I’m scared to try tape or a bandaid...will they be too rough on it’s feet?

I was decently successful at the wrap for the splayed leg one though!

 

[R2elk]

I have two more hatched! I’m also shocked at how well the crippled one is getting around and eating. I attempted to make shoes for its toes with cardboard and vet wrap but it slipped right off and I’m scared to try tape or a bandaid...zeolite they be too rough on it’s feet?
View attachment 2136480View attachment 2136481
I was decently successful at the wrap for the splayed leg one though!
View attachment 2136489

If I feel the need to add shoes, I cut a piece of scotch tape twice the length of the foot. I put the foot on top of the sticky side, arrange the toes and press the other half of the tape down on top making sure that it sticks well to itself. It will fall off in a couple of days when it is no longer needed.

For the splay leg, I split the scotch tape lengthwise and make it long enough to more than double across how far the legs need to be apart. I start by pressing one leg onto the tape, pressing the tape back onto itself and doing the same with the other leg, The tape will fall off within a couple of days. It might be necessary to do a second application at that time.

You have about the right distance between the legs there but your tape is far too wide and needs to be no more than half that width at the most.

 

[sunnie7]

If I feel the need to add shoes, I cut a piece of scotch tape twice the length of the foot. I put the foot on top of the sticky side, arrange the toes and press the other half of the tape down on top making sure that it sticks well to itself. It will fall off in a couple of days when it is no longer needed.

For the splay leg, I split the scotch tape lengthwise and make it long enough to more than double across how far the legs need to be apart. I start by pressing one leg onto the tape, pressing the tape back onto itself and doing the same with the other leg, The tape will fall off within a couple of days. It might be necessary to do a second application at that time.

You have about the right distance between the legs there but your tape is far too wide and needs to be no more than half that width at the most.

okay I will redo the tape in the middle. Do you think I should put shoes on the first chick or give it a day or two and see if it makes it?

 

[R2elk]

Do you think I should put shoes on the first chick or give it a day or two and see if it makes it?

That is totally up to you. In my experience, the sooner shoes are done, the more effective they are. Messed up feet aren't that big an issue throughout their life other than you don't want to use them as breeding stock since it can be an inherited condition. The splay legs is a problem that if not corrected early does greatly interfere with quality of life.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

I have two more hatched! I’m also shocked at how well the crippled one is getting around and eating. I attempted to make shoes for its toes with cardboard and vet wrap but it slipped right off and I’m scared to try tape or a bandaid...will they be too rough on it’s feet?
View attachment 2136480View attachment 2136481
I was decently successful at the wrap for the splayed leg one though!
View attachment 2136489

Awww, is the curled toe guy the one you helped hatch? I sure hope he makes it! I have t had the best of luck with curled toes, but R2elk’s suggestion sounds like a better way than the cardboard shoes I’ve made them! For the bandaid approach to spraddle leg, I cut the bandaid lengthwise first so it would be narrower. I’ve tried vetwrap strips, bandaids, and the rubber band. I’ve had a lot better luck treating spraddle leg in chicks, keets and ducklings - anything that you can get to stay on for a few days that keeps the legs from splaying out seems to correct the problem in hatchlings...

 

[sunnie7]

Awww, is the curled toe guy the one you helped hatch? I sure hope he makes it! I have t had the best of luck with curled toes, but R2elk’s suggestion sounds like a better way than the cardboard shoes I’ve made them! For the bandaid approach to spraddle leg, I cut the bandaid lengthwise first so it would be narrower. I’ve tried vetwrap strips, bandaids, and the rubber band. I’ve had a lot better luck treating spraddle leg in chicks, keets and ducklings - anything that you can get to stay on for a few days that keeps the legs from splaying out seems to correct the problem in hatchlings...

Yes the curled toe one is the one I helped hatch!

 

[sunnie7]

I had to assist another one... is this opened up enough for it to push itself out when ready or do I need to take more off by its head?
@R2elk @Mixed flock enthusiast