Need Help! Panting Chicks In Incubator

[NC Chicken Lover]

Hi. I am currently in the middle of a hatch. 17 of 36 have hatched, 8 more have pipped. Quite a few of the chicks are panting as if they are too hot. What should I do? Will they be okay in the incubator until tomorrow? Should I take them out tonight? If so, how do I replace the lost humidity? I don't want to do anything wrong that might hurt the hatch. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[NancyP]

Do you have any vent holes open? It sounds like your not getting enough air exchange.

 

[blackcat0229]

Dear Worried,

Check the temp in your incubator - not above 100. For humidity, get a new kitchen sponge or a clean washrag, saturate it with warm (not hot) water and put in the incubator under the egg turner in the water tray - or at least where the chicks can't get wet from it.

If you can't get your chicks out tonight, open the vents on the lid of the incubator so they are getting sufficient fresh air - or they might not last the night.

If the chicks are dry - put them in a xerox sized or slighly larger cardboard box. Suspend a 75 watt bulb into the box, near 1 corner, about 10 inches from the bottom. Cover the bottom with a rough towel, or with wood shavings. Cover PART of the top of the box over the light bulb with a towel if your room isn't warm.

If the chicks are cool, they will go toward the light. If they are too warm, they can move to a cooler corner. Give them a peanut butter jar lid of water with a pinch of brown sugar in it. Use a smaller lid if they are banties.

Most chicks die of overheating rather than chilling if you are hatching indoors. Good luck.

 

[NC Chicken Lover]

I have the hovabator Genesis incubator (if you're familiar). It does have a red plug on top. I didn't think I was supposed to pull that unless I saw condensation forming on the lid. Sorry----this is my fourth hatch and I haven't had them panting before. Just don't want to hurt the little guys/girls. Thanks.

 

[rancher hicks]

I have one too. Some say pull the plug some say don't. I pulled the plug cuz the temp was rising to 100.0. Humidity is ok so I hope it's fine. Got chicks hatching too. I guess they're ok.

 

[TriciaHowe]

I pull the red plug when mine start to hatch because my humidity gets to high with all of the chicks drying. Hope all is well with the ones in there...

 

[NC Chicken Lover]

Update: I took out all but the last four chicks that have hatched (they are still pretty wet). Soaked a kitchen sponge with warm water and put it in. Pulled the red plug. Hopefully this will be okay and the other still have a chance at hatching. Thanks for the advice. I love this forum!!