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Single chick hatching early problem? I am Confused!

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by randomchick, Dec 24, 2009.

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  1. Dec 24, 2009 #1
    randomchick

    randomchick Songster

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    Sep 3, 2009
    Prescott, Ontario
    I have 16 eggs in the incubator, each with a little chick. They are due to hatch after 4 pm on Christmas. Yesterday a single egg pipped, and hatched out early this morning. 2 days early. I candled the rest and they all seem to have a chick in them. I had to open the lock down because the chick had his beak stuck to the egg shell after he was completely out and the shell weighed his face down.[​IMG]
    He seems fine but I moved him to a brooder after he dried off at about the 12 hour mark, because he was climbing all over the other eggs, rolling them all over, and peeping like crazy.
    My brooder is at the perfect temp and humidity, sheltered and away from all noise in a constent temp room. Water and food available.
    BUT HE WON'T STOP PEEPING!
    It has been over a half hour of peeping, plus the non stop peeping when he was in the incubator. What am I doing wrong? Why did one hatch early? Do you think the rest will hatch? Is he just lonely?
    HELP!
     

  4. Dec 24, 2009 #2
    randomchick

    randomchick Songster

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    Sep 3, 2009
    Prescott, Ontario
    anyone?
     
  6. Dec 24, 2009 #3
    farmin'chick

    farmin'chick Songster

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    Rocky Mount VA
    Well....there's a simple answer and an amplified answer.

    Simple: Yes, he's lonely.

    Amplified answer: You can search "lonely chick" and get lots of help for things to do for him... The chicks do disturb the other eggs after one has hatched. They are able to hear each other in the shells. Sometimes the hatched chick will peck on eggs, which will stimulate the occupant to work at coming out. When I hatched button quail, they would all gather around the next egg that would hatch, like they were cheering it on. So, your chick was hearing the other chicks, and now he/she thinks he's all by himself.

    But, you did good leaving him in there AT LEAST 12 hours!!!

    Congrats on your new baby! [​IMG]
     
  8. Dec 24, 2009 #4
    randomchick

    randomchick Songster

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    Sep 3, 2009
    Prescott, Ontario
    So should I put him back in the incubator and let him climb all over the other eggs?
     
  10. Dec 24, 2009 #5
    bethsplace

    bethsplace Songster

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    when we got our first chick my husband held it all evening while watching tv the first night and we took turns the next few nights while we watched tv the rest of the time we just let her peep. it wont hurt it try a stuffed animal in with it i have seen other posts say that
     
  12. Dec 24, 2009 #6
    Year of the Rooster

    Year of the Rooster Sebright Savvy

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    Jun 27, 2008
    West Central Ohio
    No, just put a stuffed animal or a feather duster in the brooder to keep it company. Hang the feather duster either above or from the side so the chick can huddle under it. Or you could just hold him like a little baby [​IMG] And don't worry about him hatching so early. As long as he was ready then there's no problem. [​IMG]
     
  14. Dec 24, 2009 #7
    PandoraTaylor

    PandoraTaylor RT Poultry n Things

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    Jun 29, 2009
    Alaska
    No don't put him back....give a feather duster or stuffed toy in brooder.
    Don't open incubator more than necessary until Hatch is finished, as it changes the humidity, which could cause other eggs not to hatch.
     

  17. Dec 24, 2009 #8
    randomchick

    randomchick Songster

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    Sep 3, 2009
    Prescott, Ontario
    Thank goodness I have this forum to ask questions.
    So the incubator is back on lock down, I hope it will be fine. The only reason I took the chick out was because he had a piece of the shell stuck to his beak. He was dragging around the entire shell by his face.[​IMG]
    I hope the other eggs will be fine.
    Oh, and the teddy bear doesn't seem to work.
     
  19. Dec 24, 2009 #9
    bigdawg

    bigdawg AA Poultry

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    Jun 28, 2009
    middle tenn
    my darn silkies are due to hatch xmas day and they started pipping tues. he just needs a buddy. try a mirror so he can see himself. good luck
     

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