Sticky chick advice needed....

[chick818]

So I have hatched some fertile eggs in an incubator my first time. Was pretty successful for a first timer. Out of 11 fertile eggs, 10 hatched. I had a 2 more set for a week later that hatched today. There was a break in each shell when we went to bed last night. One hathed fine (was in there at 7 am) and the other one had apparently needed assistance since at about 1 it had just it's beak tip and no zip in the shell. (I gave it alot of time, maybe too much) about an hour or so later, I started to help it along. I would do alittle shell removal and wetness and then put it back in the incubator. I did a bit more at around 3:30 ish. I had gotten it down to mostly membrane and thought it could break free from that. I alos thought leaving it in there longer would be better since the beak was out and it could breath and it just may not have been ready. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it should have been ready and may have been in trouble. So at around 8:30 tonight I started to take it out of the membrane. A longer story shortened, it was very sticky, I had to carefully with moistened cotton and Q-tips help it's wing that was stuck to the side of it's head. I realized it's eye was also stuck. I did have wet paper towels in there and also tried to give it some save-a-chick electrolyte fluid. I didn't want it to get too chilled so I would try to moisten it and put it back. Finally I got it all free. (I have thought all along that it won't survive although my kids are really hopefull) So I have given it my all. I see some promise now as it tries to stand. But do you think there is too much damage already? Is there anything else I can do. I feel like I have gone so far at this point and watching it try to stand and move around, well I just don't want to give up on it. This little one is a real fighter! Any advice is appreciated. If I have left something out and you need to ask me something else please do.

Thank You....

~ Tara

 

[they'reHISchickens]

My late hatches often stick too. Some people say it's because the incubator was opened. I am not certain that is the answer, but I don't have any other reason either except... it happens! I have ignored late pips and lost the chick and I've helped and saved the chick.
I've also read that the act of the chick pushing out of the shell helps prevent spraddle legs so now if I help a pipped chick, I only zip the top off and then wrap it loosely in a warm wet paper towel and put it back in the bator. The last two I did that to had pipped for 24 hours. They hatched nicely in a few hours and their legs are good. I did make sure they weren't shrinkwrapped and that the membranes weren't around them when I put them back in.
I've also washed really sticky chicks in warm water and dried them.
I think each case is unique and you have to go with it at the time. And sometimes you fail. This is why hens have large clutches

 

[chick818]

they'reHISchickens :

My late hatches often stick too. Some people say it's because the incubator was opened. I am not certain that is the answer, but I don't have any other reason either except... it happens! I have ignored late pips and lost the chick and I've helped and saved the chick.
I've also read that the act of the chick pushing out of the shell helps prevent spraddle legs so now if I help a pipped chick, I only zip the top off and then wrap it loosely in a warm wet paper towel and put it back in the bator. The last two I did that to had pipped for 24 hours. They hatched nicely in a few hours and their legs are good. I did make sure they weren't shrinkwrapped and that the membranes weren't around them when I put them back in.
I've also washed really sticky chicks in warm water and dried them.
I think each case is unique and you have to go with it at the time. And sometimes you fail. This is why hens have large clutches

Thank You for answering, I have also noticed the feet are a bit turned in. Is that from too long of time spent in the shell? Do you think they'll straighten out? The chick is trying to get up and move. I hope all turns out well.​

 

[chick818]

I am afraid to go to bed if there is something else that can be done. Any advice? If the eyes are stuck and feathers still a bit hard, will that all correct itself at this point? I added more water originally, since I thought the chick was better off being more moist than dry. But should I take some out now? what can high humidity do to a chick after they hatch?