Valentines Day chicks

[CluckNDoodle]

45% still isn't terrible, it's just not "optimal" for hatch day and you still have quite a few chicks left to hatch.

 

[TheBoss_512]

45% still isn't terrible, it's just not "optimal" for hatch day and you still have quite a few chicks left to hatch.

I found a silicone tube and syringed some in. It’s at 65% now. Thanks! I’m worried about this kid. He’s been completely zipped for a few hours. The membrane seems to be hard to break and he’s upside down.

 

[TheBoss_512]

I found a silicone tube and syringed some in. It’s at 65% now. Thanks! I’m worried about this kid. He’s been completely zipped for a few hours. The membrane seems to be hard to break and he’s upside down.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

This is just me, not everyone likes to reach in and assist but because that membrane is brown, it's dry and too hard for the chick to tear. I would help it out. There's not risk of assisting too early when the chicks have zipped all the way around, it definitely has absorbed all of the yolk sac.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Some people would prefer not to do anything and that's ok too. I get the whole, safety of the many over the assist of the one...I'm just prepared to step in whenever it's needed but certainly do whatever you're most comfortable with.

 

[TheBoss_512]

Some people would prefer not to do anything and that's ok too. I get the whole, safety of the many over the assist of the one...I'm just prepared to step in whenever it's needed but certainly do whatever you're most comfortable with.

I’m jumped in fast and broke it. Hopefully everyone else is okay. While I have you lol....I could only find 24% feed. Should I mix in cat food (ground) or something else Like this to increase protein to 28% ish

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I’m jumped in fast and broke it. Hopefully everyone else is okay. While I have you lol....I could only find 24% feed. Should I mix in cat food (ground) or something else Like this to increase protein to 28% ish

Oh sorry! I ran to my friend's house to candle eggs under her broody hen, lol. I used game bird starter with my baby quail and it was 24% protein so I think that sounds just right! You can offer scrambled eggs minced with the back of a fork as well.

 

[TheBoss_512]

Some people would prefer not to do anything and that's ok too. I get the whole, safety of the many over the assist of the one...I'm just prepared to step in whenever it's needed but certainly do whatever you're most comfortable with.

What do you think about this egg? the babe hasn’t made any progress and the membrane (I think) has been looking brown or old blood-ish. does that look okay?

 

[CluckNDoodle]

What do you think about this egg? the babe hasn’t made any progress and the membrane (I think) has been looking brown or old blood-ish. does that look okay?

It does look a little dry but it's just an external pip, not a zip so it may still be absorbing the yolk sac. It's not unusual to see them rest after pipping and then proceeding to unzip. I've done plenty of assisted hatches but never with quail. In general it's the same as with chickens, but in miniature. For now I would wait until you see it actively pecking at the shell and trying to unzip.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

What do you think about this egg? the babe hasn’t made any progress and the membrane (I think) has been looking brown or old blood-ish. does that look okay?

On a really positive note those little quail peeps are looks super fluffy and ready for the brooder!