My chickens arent drying!

[PeckyBeck]

This is my first time at incubating eggs. We put six eggs in the incubator. Tuesday I took out the egg turner. The eggs were due to hatch Friday. Yesterday (Thursday) morning at 5:30 the first chick hatched. Then 3 more. And one was pipping but stopped. #6 hasn't moved at all. I had plenty of water in the bottom of the Styrofoam still air incubator. The temp was about 97° on the grate. I had no idea I needed some gauge or thing to tell me the humidity! Two of the chicks are strong and two look a bit weak but they are peeping and moving. Its just their feathers still look like they are wet. But I think the feathers are dried up like glue on them! What did I do wrong? They should be fluffy and cute by now!

 

[drumstick diva]

sounds like they were "shrink wrapped,"

 

[PeckyBeck]

What does that mean? And can I save them?

 

[PeckyBeck]

If I give them a really warm bath to clean off the ick will that help?

 

[melissaG]

Here's a really good thread that hopefully will help you out.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/491421/shrink-wrap-vs-sticky-chick
GL!

 

[TwoCrows]

from New Mexico!

These things happen on first time hatchings. Make sure to keep your humidity up during lock down. (3 days before hatch time) Up your humidity by 10% from what you were incubating at during incubation. If you have to, add wet sponges to the incubator. Keep the lid shut during lock down and resist opening till the chicks have all zipped out.

Enjoy the forums!

 

[liz9910]

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Hello, and welcome to BYC!!

Glad to have you aboard!!

 

[redsoxs]

Howdy from Kansas, PeckyBeck, and

! Great to have you with us! Good luck to you and your chicks!

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.