Problems hatching 😔

[RememberTheWay]

I have hatched chicks several times with zero issues so for this hatch to go so horribly wrong, let's just say it's been shocking and overwhelming. A lot of the chicks did not hatch in hatchday but we're still alive in their shells. I now have have five in the incubator still that I had to bathe due to shrink wrapping and a couple actually were sticky chicks and sticking to themselves. I only bathed those two. The issue now is that one of them seems to have something wrong with one of it's legs and the other I'm concerned about her belly. Here is a picture of the one with the leg issue and a photo of the one with the belly. Does it take some time sometimes for their yolk to fully ascend into the abdomen? It seems to be getting smaller over the last hour. She was in her shell still when one of the others ran over her and knocked the shell off of her. What do I do to help these little guys? I feel awful. My egg Turner failed on the last week of incubation and I didn't know it until lockdown

Please help!

 

[RememberTheWay]

Here is another pic of the leg problem

 

[RememberTheWay]

And I just noticed that this one's foot seems to be slightly twisted under it. It's staying upright and keeping the leg under it but the foot is sitting oddly. Omg I feel just terrible. Is there anything I can do to help them?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

I put chicks that have unhealed navels or are still absorbing their yolk in cups in the incubator until they've finished the process - this helps prevent injury to the navel area. I also put a little antibiotic ointment (without pain reliever) on the area to prevent infection.

The chick with the curled foot still looks wet in the photos, so may just need time to strengthen its feet. If not, it may be possible for you to tape its foot to try to correct it. If there is a problem, it should be addressed as early as possible for the best chance of a good outcome. Does the leg move normally, otherwise?

It sounds like a stressful and difficult hatch so with some time and TLC, the issues you're seeing may resolve themselves. Please keep us posted and congratulations on your chicks!

 

[RememberTheWay]

I put chicks that have unhealed navels or are still absorbing their yolk in cups in the incubator until they've finished the process - this helps prevent injury to the navel area. I also put a little antibiotic ointment (without pain reliever) on the area to prevent infection.

The chick with the curled foot still looks wet in the photos, so may just need time to strengthen its feet. If not, it may be possible for you to tape its foot to try to correct it. If there is a problem, it should be addressed as early as possible for the best chance of a good outcome. Does the leg move normally, otherwise?

It sounds like a stressful and difficult hatch so with some time and TLC, the issues you're seeing may resolve themselves. Please keep us posted and congratulations on your chicks!

What kind of cup?

 

[RememberTheWay]

Can you tell me how I can attach a video? I tried to and the forum said it wasn't the right format or something? I was just adding it in from Google photos on my phone....

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

What kind of cup?

See post #16 in this thread. I use a very small (clean) plastic plant pot or a cut-down plastic cup lined with a paper towel. It needs to be short enough to fit in the incubator without the chick's head touching the top.

 

[RememberTheWay]

This little guy keeps on fighting but I'm trying everything (taping his feet, leg hobbles, glass therapy, and supplementing him) I'm considering making him some kind of sling or chair bc when he is in a glass he can't get his legs under him to stand and jump properly bc of the curl in the feet. It's as if he has curly toes and splayed legs. His name is "Eeiney" and his hatch mates are meeney mieney, and Moe. Lol I couldn't help myself. Anyone have advice or something I haven't tried yet with him?

 

[RememberTheWay]

On a better note all the other chicks have made complete turn arounds and are doing fantastic! Even the one with the leg that looked backwards! I'm thrilled. But still working for Eeiney