Not sure about vent plugs! HELP! Hearing peeps!

[roxshane]

Thank you for the info....i posted/ asked a few more questions below

 

[FridayYet]

Congratulations on your chick Shane! I usually wait around 24 hours to remove a chick from the incubator, but others may do it differently. You only have 1 chick, right? Start looking around for another 1 or 2 to keep it company.

Before you take it out of the incubator, they need to be nice and dry, and I like them to be a little more stable on their feet. The first 2 days in the brooder (tote) I like to cover the shavings with paper towels to make it a little easier for the chick to learn how to walk. Once they are running around, I remove it.

After the first day, put a few grains of chick starter on the towel and tap it with your finger to show the chick how to peck.

Make sure the heat lamp is over one end of the tote, so the chick can get away from the heat if they get too warm. It's also a good idea to have marbles or clean pebbles in the water so the chick doesn't drown. (Yes, they will sometimes fall asleep while standing and faceplant into the water!)

 

[roxshane]

He sure is taking a long time to dry out but I just realized I left the paper towel in there and it was soaking wet so I took that out and hopefully he will be dried out by the end of the day and I'll put him in the tote but he's walking around and chirping away

 

[landswithrow]

Thank you all for all the help and advice you've given me. One more question.....the chick that I helped is still awful looking. It looks as if maybe the down is coated with something keeping it from drying up all fluffy. Should I just leave it or should I wipe it with a wet paper towel? I took these chicks out and put in a brooder but my other eggs have done nothing all day. Maybe I should candle them again and see if there is any sounds? We are on day 23 now. Appreciate any help given.

 

[FridayYet]

Thank you all for all the help and advice you've given me. One more question.....the chick that I helped is still awful looking. It looks as if maybe the down is coated with something keeping it from drying up all fluffy. Should I just leave it or should I wipe it with a wet paper towel? I took these chicks out and put in a brooder but my other eggs have done nothing all day. Maybe I should candle them again and see if there is any sounds? We are on day 23 now. Appreciate any help given.

Sure, you can use some warm water and a washcloth to get the dried stuff off. Just make sure the chick doesn't get chilled an pop it back in the incubator to dry or a hair dryer on warm.

I would candle if it has been greater than 24 hours since your last hatch.

Good luck!

 

[landswithrow]

Well, I did have 1 chick just hatch this morning so maybe I should wait until tomorrow morning or lunchtime. Thanks again!

 

[landswithrow]

Just had one more hatch! We are still in business!

 

[lazy gardener]

He sure is taking a long time to dry out but I just realized I left the paper towel in there and it was soaking wet so I took that out and hopefully he will be dried out by the end of the day and I'll put him in the tote but he's walking around and chirping away

Shane, congrats on your hatch. He's gonna be a noisy chick b/c he's alone. Any luck finding any other chicks to keep him company? If that's not an option, you might give him a stuffed animal to cuddle with, a mirror, and even a feather duster. You also might want to look at Blooie's article and thread on the use of a heating pad for a more natural brooder for chicks.

Well, I did have 1 chick just hatch this morning so maybe I should wait until tomorrow morning or lunchtime. Thanks again!

Have you taken out the un-hatched eggs, and tapped the shells, listened for sounds of life? How many chicks have hatched, and how many eggs are left? When did the first one hatch? I find that towards the end of the hatch, that's when there are chicks with problems. So... it may be beneficial to do some investigation now for signs of life. You can tap and listen, you can do the float test. You can candle. If you find any chicks alive, you will then need to decide what if anything you need to do. Sometimes, it's just a waiting game. Other times you may decide to attempt an assist.

 

[landswithrow]

No, I haven't checked the unhatched yet. I may do that tonight.

 

[FridayYet]

Landswithrow: How many eggs do you have left?

You are very lucky Lazy Gardener stopped by, she has a ton more experience than I do.

Let us know what you find and we can talk you through the options.