Very weak and dirty chick. What to do??

[MakNat]

One of my abandonded eggs did hatch, slowly and by the hardest, but the little guy is SO weak and has all the gunk crusted & dried on him. Any advice???

 

[Omran]

Quote:
when did he hatch? if it is for more than one day then you might be able to wipe him very slowly and gentel.

 

[jenjscott]

if its that hard crusted inner membrane, I give a warm bath, completely submersed except the head and gently swish back and forth. After a minute or so, you can usually gently wipe or peel off the rehydrated membrane. Dry gently with a towel by blotting then place back under brooder light or in incubator to dry. Some use a hair dryer, but i'm always afraid of burning them.

 

[mediazeal]

Quote:
Someone once reported they accidently fried the chick with the hair dryer so I'd avoid that. It's just too hot and scary.

My last hatch I had one get stuck in the egg and helped her out. She was gunky and wobbly the first 2 days or so. I separated her from the other chicks and put one docile chick in with her for company. I did quick little sessions with her with a warm wet qtip and a gentle warm wet toothbrush and gently took off layers mostly with water. In a few days her down had lengthened enough that she could get around well and by a week old most of the gunk was off
she had bald patches even but they eventually filled in. She is completely normal and healthy now. Cant tell she started out that way from looking at her.

Good luck with yours.