Towel in hatcher

[Phage]

This year I lined the bottom of the bator with a towel (nice soft old cloth diaper) and a teatowel, and was amazed that the hatching peachicks were up and about on totally uncurled feet well before they were dry. I wondered if having a soft towel with plenty of traction encourages them to uncurl toes and walk early? Any thoughts?

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I always put shelf liner in the bottom of my hatcher and most of the time I rear them on it for a few days before I put them on shavins.

~ Aspen

 

[zazouse]

I have always used towels in my cabinet hatcher and never had any messed up feet now that ya mention it, i always thought messed up feet came from chicks that had trouble hatching.

 

[Phage]

Quote:
That is interesting that you have found the same. I agree - I think messed up feet are associated with chicks that had trouble hatching, but wondered if the towel surface encourages them to straighten their toes if they are curled, as it is not uncomfortable for them to do so. I have been using a towel for chicken chicks for a year and can't remember the last time I had a splayed leg or any other leg issue. Before that I did get problems.

 

[ColbyNTX]

Quote:
That is interesting that you have found the same. I agree - I think messed up feet are associated with chicks that had trouble hatching, but wondered if the towel surface encourages them to straighten their toes if they are curled, as it is not uncomfortable for them to do so. I have been using a towel for chicken chicks for a year and can't remember the last time I had a splayed leg or any other leg issue. Before that I did get problems.

I have only hatched a dozen or so peas, but tons of keets, poults, chicks, quail, pheasants ect. I only get toe and leg problems with ones that have trouble hatching. My hatching trays are 1/4X1/4 wire trays and they get up pretty quick.

 

[SunBaked]

Thank you for posting this. I put a towel in with my new peachick and his feet are already straightened out. When my first little chickens hatched a few weeks ago I used paper towel and it took a whole day for their feet to all look right.

 

[ColbyNTX]

One thing I have noticed in hatching thousands of birds is that I don't get any feet problems unless the chick has trouble hatching and has to be helped after a day or so.