South Carolina

[RedBugPoultry]

Quote:
Deb, toe problems are common when a chick is slow to get out of the egg. Not quite sure what his feet look like but I have had very good luck taping toes out flat. You can take a piece of tape and put his toes out straight and flat on the tape and fold it up over the top and secure them, keeping them flat and secure. I am including a link that is similar to what I am saying. Not need to be this elaborate but it looks like it would work too.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6872700

Hope this helps!

Guess I should have read further.... Hope you found something that works for him--let us know!

 

[RedBugPoultry]

Not sure what the issue is with sticky chicks right now but I had to pull both of my OEGB chicks out that hatched in the last 2 day. They seem to be doing fine but I am heading out now with some boiled egg yolk for them.....

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

Quote:
I have done it with bandaids a few times now, works well - only need 2-3 days of wearing them to straighten them out, usually.

That is how Forrest got HER name....she had curled toes.

 

[Ray_n_Debi]

Quote:
Before I had a separate hatcher, I would put the whole styrofoam base into a white kitchen trash bag. I would poke holes with pieces of straws into the ventalation holes so there was still air circulation. Then i would place the wire back in and hatch away.
When they were done hatching, I threw away the bag and mess. I would still sterilize the base but clean-up was a breeze.

 

[Gold Griffin Chicken Mom]

Quote:
Before I had a separate hatcher, I would put the whole styrofoam base into a white kitchen trash bag. I would poke holes with pieces of straws into the ventalation holes so there was still air circulation. Then i would place the wire back in and hatch away.
When they were done hatching, I threw away the bag and mess. I would still sterilize the base but clean-up was a breeze.

I use an old styrofoam incubator for a hatcher. I think I'll try your method next time. Sounds like small effort for super easy clean up!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Quote:
Before I had a separate hatcher, I would put the whole styrofoam base into a white kitchen trash bag. I would poke holes with pieces of straws into the ventalation holes so there was still air circulation. Then i would place the wire back in and hatch away.
When they were done hatching, I threw away the bag and mess. I would still sterilize the base but clean-up was a breeze.

I am missing the idea here. How do you have water in there? And how do you keep it filled? Not that I usually have to add any to my own.
I have 2 styrofoam 'bators. One is a full time hatcher, the other is a 'bator and hatcher because it is Debra's. I do have to add water to hers.
So you put the bag inside the styrofoam 'bator/hatcher?

Always wanting to learn new ideas! However, I am very visual and am needing more instructions.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Quote:
This last hatch of Debra's that I did for her in her bator/hatcher had all wet chicks. That was last Sunday. The only thing I can figure that was different was that the Lil Giant sits on the edge of the table in my den between the sliding glass door and the spare bedroom and with those windows/door open it caused it to condensate inside while they ran the humidity up while hatching. The windows on top of the bator were covered in water but I could not get it dry in there. I finally took all the chicks that hatched out, stuck them in my closet where the air is still and under a heat lamp. Two chicks died after going in there and a bunch of eggs did not hatch or they had zipped and then drowned.

 

[RedBugPoultry]

Quote:
This last hatch of Debra's that I did for her in her bator/hatcher had all wet chicks. That was last Sunday. The only thing I can figure that was different was that the Lil Giant sits on the edge of the table in my den between the sliding glass door and the spare bedroom and with those windows/door open it caused it to condensate inside while they ran the humidity up while hatching. The windows on top of the bator were covered in water but I could not get it dry in there. I finally took all the chicks that hatched out, stuck them in my closet where the air is still and under a heat lamp. Two chicks died after going in there and a bunch of eggs did not hatch or they had zipped and then drowned.

Oh, always sorry to hear about chicks that do not make it. You did hit on something though that I have not thought of and that is we now have the heat on in the house a good part of the time instead of the air. I wonder if the changing back and forth could be causing the trouble.... DH opened the vent in my incubator room also....

 

[Ray_n_Debi]

I put just the whole base inside the bag. I do not put the incubator top in the bag, the elements would burn the bag. Then there are a few holes in the base that are meant to keep the air circulating. I take small pieces of regular drinking straws and insert them all the way thru the bag into those holes so the air can still circulate. It is easier to push the straws thru if you cut the tip of the straw into a point, on an angle, like you would cut a rose stem. I start at the bottom and push the straw thru the bag where a hole is, then thru the hole in the incubator then when I see the straws image thru the top of the bag I push the bag with my fingers down onto the straw 'til it pierces the bag. That now leaves the hole for fresh air. To hatch I put a water in a small jar with a sponge in it, but I have also used jar covers with water under the wire rack. The few minutes it takes to do is worth keeping the styrofoam clean and all the nasties are thrown away.


Quote:
Before I had a separate hatcher, I would put the whole styrofoam base into a white kitchen trash bag. I would poke holes with pieces of straws into the ventalation holes so there was still air circulation. Then i would place the wire back in and hatch away.
When they were done hatching, I threw away the bag and mess. I would still sterilize the base but clean-up was a breeze.

I am missing the idea here. How do you have water in there? And how do you keep it filled? Not that I usually have to add any to my own.
I have 2 styrofoam 'bators. One is a full time hatcher, the other is a 'bator and hatcher because it is Debra's. I do have to add water to hers.
So you put the bag inside the styrofoam 'bator/hatcher?

Always wanting to learn new ideas! However, I am very visual and am needing more instructions.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Quote:
This last hatch of Debra's that I did for her in her bator/hatcher had all wet chicks. That was last Sunday. The only thing I can figure that was different was that the Lil Giant sits on the edge of the table in my den between the sliding glass door and the spare bedroom and with those windows/door open it caused it to condensate inside while they ran the humidity up while hatching. The windows on top of the bator were covered in water but I could not get it dry in there. I finally took all the chicks that hatched out, stuck them in my closet where the air is still and under a heat lamp. Two chicks died after going in there and a bunch of eggs did not hatch or they had zipped and then drowned.

Oh, always sorry to hear about chicks that do not make it. You did hit on something though that I have not thought of and that is we now have the heat on in the house a good part of the time instead of the air. I wonder if the changing back and forth could be causing the trouble.... DH opened the vent in my incubator room also....

We have not turned on the heat yet. Way too warm still. I like my house around 65-68. I open the windows and doors during the day and close them up before bedtime although I leave my bathroom window open all night with the fan blowing on me. I love this time of year!

But I agree with you that warm, cool then warm again can have a lot to do with the 'bators. My Sportsman still holding strong but it seems every year this time it tells me it needs a new wafer. I just did that the other week so hopefully it will be fine for another year.