Sticky Chick!!!!

[MaransGuy]

I think the level of stickyness that we are talking about here, or at least that I am, is far beyond the typical type. The chicks I had to clean were so bad that one had it's leg dried to it's body and the shell was glued and dried to it's back. The eyes were dried and glued shut as well. The second chick I had to help out of it's shell and was able to wash the thick goo off before it dried completely. I had never seen a chick so rock-hard with the thick goop and still survive. Actually only one made it, the other died after a few days. Every other chick made it out just fine and perfectly normal. The two eggs I had problems with were a lot drier (older) than the rest when I first set them. Another challenge when dealing with shipped eggs!

Richard

 

[kinardmommy]

Out of 16 chicks that have hatched now only one of them had this problem. I considered my humidity good. It was at 45% through days 1-18 and 67%-70 days 19-21. I waited a few hours after hatch and I washed it with some light soap water (very light) and it came off pretty well. It too had one eye glued shut. There is still a small amount in its back but I don't think it minds. Every so often it will get a little poo stuck on it b/c of the hard feathers but I just wipe it with a warm moist paper towel. Thank You all for your input and suggestions.

Nikki

 

[Teacherchick18]

I think the level of stickyness that we are talking about here, or at least that I am, is far beyond the typical type. The chicks I had to clean were so bad that one had it's leg dried to it's body and the shell was glued and dried to it's back. The eyes were dried and glued shut as well. The second chick I had to help out of it's shell and was able to wash the thick goo off before it dried completely. I had never seen a chick so rock-hard with the thick goop and still survive. Actually only one made it, the other died after a few days. Every other chick made it out just fine and perfectly normal. The two eggs I had problems with were a lot drier (older) than the rest when I first set them. Another challenge when dealing with shipped eggs!

Richard

I know this thread is old, but I was hoping that you could answer a question for me. I just had a chick hatch like you were describing that was so sticky his wing and back actually glued to the floor of the incubator. I was able to get him free but he can't move around and ends up falling over. He shakes and looks like he may not make it if I leave him be. I want to get him cleaned up but was wondering how you did it and made sure that he didn't get chilled. Thanks!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I know this thread is old, but I was hoping that you could answer a question for me. I just had a chick hatch like you were describing that was so sticky his wing and back actually glued to the floor of the incubator. I was able to get him free but he can't move around and ends up falling over. He shakes and looks like he may not make it if I leave him be. I want to get him cleaned up but was wondering how you did it and made sure that he didn't get chilled. Thanks!

Warm water and if needed some dawn blue dish detergent. Hopefully, it's just dried membrane/albumen that is causing his inability to stand/move. After you wash him you can dry him with a hair dryer, just don't use the hottest setting and I would use the low air setting and then back in the brooder under the light (or incubator if that is yor preference.)

 

[WalnutHill]

When I have had gluey chicks, I hold the head between two fingers in my left hand, with the body cupped in my palm and secured with my thumb. I dunk the whole chick into a 95F sink of water, keeping the head well above water. After several seconds of immersion to help soften the goo, I drip a couple of drops of baby shampoo or Dawn blue dish soap on the chick, then gently massage and dip and rinse again.

I use a microfiber towel to dry and then put the baby back in the incubator for a couple of hours.

 

[Teacherchick18]

When I have had gluey chicks, I hold the head between two fingers in my left hand, with the body cupped in my palm and secured with my thumb. I dunk the whole chick into a 95F sink of water, keeping the head well above water. After several seconds of immersion to help soften the goo, I drip a couple of drops of baby shampoo or Dawn blue dish soap on the chick, then gently massage and dip and rinse again.

I use a microfiber towel to dry and then put the baby back in the incubator for a couple of hours.

Warm water and if needed some dawn blue dish detergent. Hopefully, it's just dried membrane/albumen that is causing his inability to stand/move. After you wash him you can dry him with a hair dryer, just don't use the hottest setting and I would use the low air setting and then back in the brooder under the light (or incubator if that is yor preference.)

Thank you for your suggestions. I don't know if he is having trouble standing because of the goo or because of something else. He can get on to his feet, but then he rolls back onto his side and back and lays there for a while. He has a bald spot where he was glued to the incubator from when he jerked as I was trying to free him. Its a tricky situation because I have 3 other eggs pipped and I'm trying not to open the incubator for fear of those losing too much humidity. He also had a fairly large umbilical opening when he first hatched and since it has shrunk considerably. He has been hatched out for about 3 hours now.

 

[WalnutHill]

It's not at all unusual for a three hour old chick to struggle with standing.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Thank you for your suggestions. I don't know if he is having trouble standing because of the goo or because of something else. He can get on to his feet, but then he rolls back onto his side and back and lays there for a while. He has a bald spot where he was glued to the incubator from when he jerked as I was trying to free him. Its a tricky situation because I have 3 other eggs pipped and I'm trying not to open the incubator for fear of those losing too much humidity. He also had a fairly large umbilical opening when he first hatched and since it has shrunk considerably. He has been hatched out for about 3 hours now.

Is he "star gazing"? Is his he holding his head way up like he's watching the sky and falling over?

 

[MrsBachbach]

Thank you for your suggestions. I don't know if he is having trouble standing because of the goo or because of something else. He can get on to his feet, but then he rolls back onto his side and back and lays there for a while. He has a bald spot where he was glued to the incubator from when he jerked as I was trying to free him. Its a tricky situation because I have 3 other eggs pipped and I'm trying not to open the incubator for fear of those losing too much humidity. He also had a fairly large umbilical opening when he first hatched and since it has shrunk considerably. He has been hatched out for about 3 hours now.

They often roll back on their back when just hatched. If he is still doing that twelve hours later, then I would be a bit concerned. If he is sticky all over and needs washing, I have found you can remove him quickly from the incubator for that IF the other eggs are only pipped. If they started zipping I would not open the incubator. Also, only if your humidity is up there in the 65 or 70 range.

Regarding sticky chicks, I think I have read it could be a lethal gene.

 

[Teacherchick18]

It's not at all unusual for a three hour old chick to struggle with standing.

Is he "star gazing"? Is his he holding his head way up like he's watching the sky and falling over?

He isn't "star gazing" lol but I have seen that before. Its like his wing is stuck to him and he isn't able to balance. He isn't wobbling like a normal chick that just hatched. He only falls backward and then he just lays there shivering. He seems to be getting stronger but I want to get him cleaned to help him with mobility. The other eggs are only pipped and the humidity is at around 62%.