Low humidity hatch, sticky chick

[hermiesbirdies]

I had chicks hatch out of an incubator. it happened over a day. in my excitement over the chicks, I didnt notice there was no moisture in the incubator. I just had one hatch that is all sticky and has peices of shell and shell membrane stuck to her.

How do I clean her? when I put her in with the others they peck at her like they are trying to get stuff off, but I am afraid they will peck her to death trying.

 

[gryeyes]

I had one like that just day before yesterday. I took it and held it under very warm running water to unstick the feathers and moisten the membrane enough to pull the bits off the chick. Then I towel dried it, and put it back into the 'bator overnight to fluff up and rest. I didn't put it back with the chicks in the brooder until the yesterday morning.

 

[hermiesbirdies]

Just warm water? no soap or anything?

Thank you

 

[gryeyes]

Nope, no soap. I did use a finger to move the sticky feathers around under the water flow, very gentle rubbing. I'd roll the membrane-stuck feathers between two fingers, too. It was amazing how much better it looked after drying off!

Happy little run around chick, now.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Yep, warm running water does it.