Newby Aussie Mum

[Sleepless Mum]

Hi everyone,
I am an Australian Teacher, Grandmother and Newby to chicken hatching. Not going to give you the long version of the story, but have been having some difficulty. It is winter here and it took me over a week to collect 23 eggs to hatch. I had 6 Holden Laced Wyandottes, 6 Australorps and 11 Lavender Ameraucanas. Day 21, 22 AND 23 came and went. Stressed, read as much as I could online, including a lot from this site. General consensus seemed to be they can be fine up to day 25. Started hatching night of Day 23, 5 have hatched and two have died after hatching. Still have the remaining ones in the incubator. I floated them last night and 4 sank and the remaining floated. Question at present is the hatched ones seem to be taking a long time to recover and at least one has a leg problem. Have taken a photo, if I can will upload for you to see. Day 25 today. No Ameraucanas have even pipped. What should I do? Does anyone have any helpful information to ease my mind, especially about the chicks leg.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. I'd suggest re-posting on the ER forum for expert advice -
Please read this link first: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/have-an-emergency-disease-please-read-first.3569/

Then post on this link:

http://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! Sorry to hear you have had such a stressful Hatch. With them being so late in hatching I would think a low temp issue may be the problem. Did you double check with a known to be correct thermometer that it was running at the correct temp? Consistent low temps can cause issues in any chicks that may hatch and could be a possible reason for the ones that passed and for the leg issue. Your chick looks to have a possible tendon issue above, I'm guessing it can't straighten or stan on the leg? I had this happen once and I'm afraid I had to cull the chick after repair attempts failed. This is a good link for info on leg and feet issues that I hope you find helpful ~ https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

 

[Sleepless Mum]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! Sorry to hear you have had such a stressful Hatch. With them being so late in hatching I would think a low temp issue may be the problem. Did you double check with a known to be correct thermometer that it was running at the correct temp? Consistent low temps can cause issues in any chicks that may hatch and could be a possible reason for the ones that passed and for the leg issue. Your chick looks to have a possible tendon issue above, I'm guessing it can't straighten or stan on the leg? I had this happen once and I'm afraid I had to cull the chick after repair attempts failed. This is a good link for info on leg and feet issues that I hope you find helpful ~ https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

Thank you. I am feeling very depressed and this is not the first batch that I have lost in a similar way. Will certainly check the temperature with a separate source.

 

[drumstick diva]

So sorry for your misfortune with hatching

 

[ronott1]

Hi everyone,
I am an Australian Teacher, Grandmother and Newby to chicken hatching. Not going to give you the long version of the story, but have been having some difficulty. It is winter here and it took me over a week to collect 23 eggs to hatch. I had 6 Holden Laced Wyandottes, 6 Australorps and 11 Lavender Ameraucanas. Day 21, 22 AND 23 came and went. Stressed, read as much as I could online, including a lot from this site. General consensus seemed to be they can be fine up to day 25. Started hatching night of Day 23, 5 have hatched and two have died after hatching. Still have the remaining ones in the incubator. I floated them last night and 4 sank and the remaining floated. Question at present is the hatched ones seem to be taking a long time to recover and at least one has a leg problem. Have taken a photo, if I can will upload for you to see. Day 25 today. No Ameraucanas have even pipped. What should I do? Does anyone have any helpful information to ease my mind, especially about the chicks leg. View attachment 1075890

All of the problems you had with the hatch come from the incubator being set at too low of a temperature. Get a good thermometer, like the brinsea spot check and calibrate the incubator for the next hatch. The incubator was likely two to three degrees F too low.

I hope the leg issue is on the mend now. They recover quickly at that age.

 

[Sleepless Mum]

So sorry for your misfortune with hatching

Thank you so much. I really need it.
I have three babies left, none really healthy. Two, I have made a sling chair for and struggling a little getting that to work the way I would like. Bit concerned about placing it in the brooder so that they don't get too hot or too cold. They both have their hock joints strapped and cardboard shoes to spread and flatten their toes. Not really sure how they are coping, they sleep almost all the time and I am having to literally force feed them. Even the one not in the sling chair that can walk around a bit won't feed or drink on its own. Am learning a great deal, but wish I didn't have to.
Purchased an external thermometer that implied that the incubtor was cooler than it should be - 36 degrees, but its not very exact. It is also saying the the hot spot in the brooder is well over 40 degrees, but the little one that moves around on its own still goes and hides in that corner, so not sure what to think.
I am really appreciating the forum, family and friends not really understanding, but are upset that I am upset. But don't feel I can update them each step like I would like to. Need to find a chicken friend who will understand.
Thanks again

 

[ronott1]

You are doing great! Most first hatches do not go well and we learn from hatching as we hatch more.

It will get better and your next hatch can be very good if you use the information on BYC. Friends and Family often do not understand what this whole chicken thing is.

 

[Sleepless Mum]

All of the problems you had with the hatch come from the incubator being set at too low of a temperature. Get a good thermometer, like the brinsea spot check and calibrate the incubator for the next hatch. The incubator was likely two to three degrees F too low.

I hope the leg issue is on the mend now. They recover quickly at that age.

Thank you, really appreciate every ones support.