Weak chick/late hatch

[selfsuffally]

My Gambel chicks have been hatching since Monday. Majority hatched at the same time. However, I had 5 eggs that cracked the shell, 2 punctured the membrane, 3 did not. Of those, one zipped but couldn't kick free, it consistently moved and peeped. I believe the others died shortly after attempting to hatch as I have not seen movement or heard peeping. I made sure to keep the membrane moist as they started drying out.

I did help the one that moved (after it had stayed this way 26+ hours) by taking off the top part of the shell only; it pulled itself free of the egg. This was late yesterday evening. This morning when I checked on it, it still seems weak. I put it in the brooder with my two newly hatched (this morning/yesterday morning, they hatched early) button quail chicks. They are leaving it alone.

When the Gambel chick moves it's more of a flopping. It tries to walk but doesn't seem to have the strength to stand. Would sugar water help; if so, how do I mix it and do I just dip its beak in the water? Is there something else that would help better than sugar water?

My Gambel eggs were due to start hatching on Father's day, none hatched until the following day. My incubator is a still air, temp and humidity stayed consistent. How much longer should I wait before float testing? I candled all eggs prior to lockdown and all were developing/alive. Currently there are 3-4 (aside from the ones I mentioned) that have tiny cracks/beginning pips. A couple I saw move yesterday, or at least think I did.

Thanks for all the help and patience with us newbies.

 

[getaclue]

Do you have some Rooster Booster, or Poly Vi Sol without iron? I would put about 5 drops of the vitamins, and a pinch of sugar in about half a cup of water, stir until mixed, then dip the chick's beak in it once, or twice. Then put it back in the brooder, and let it rest. It's normal that they flop like that for a day or two after a difficult hatch.

 

[HUGHES555]

I give mine 3 days after the hatch day. If they havent hatched by then, then you might as well give up on them. As they most likely will not survive. If it has taken them that long to hatch because their yoke that sustains them will have been used up. But the poly vi sol works well on helping them get stronger. Good luck.

 

[getaclue]

As to the rest of the eggs, open the incubator, but be sure to mist the eggs, take an egg, and wrap it in a damp paper towel, then take a tweezers, and carefully remove a small part of the top of the shell. IF the chick inside begins moving, gently keep removing more of the shell. If the membrane is stuck to the chick, moisten it with a warm, damp, paper towel, or washcloth, until it is moist enough to remove some of the membrane from the chick. Keep going until you have it at least 3/4 of the way, then mist the eggs in the incubator, and replace the chick inside. Go to the next egg, and repeat. It sounds like the humidity may have dropped, and they shrink wrapped when you removed the chicks that had hatched.

 

[selfsuffally]

I was afraid that they shrink wrapped. When I get home tonight I will do what you suggest, getaclue. The one I assisted die about 5 minutes ago. Just wasn't meant to make it. The only thing I saw at my local TSC was Rooster Booster and another liquid that had vitamins in it. Thanks for the advice.

 

[getaclue]

Rooster Booster is perfect, and a good thing to have on hand for your next hatch.

 

[eryan7]

So I am new to letting my hens go broody and hatching a chick, but it happened yesterday! I now have one remaining egg today where the chick poked a small hole, I pulled off a tiny bit more of the shell, but then I wasn't sure if I should help it. My hen pulled the egg back under her. I have checked again, and I am not sure it has made any progress. How long should it actually take for the chick to get out? Should I help it get out or let nature take it's course? Survival of the fittest and all...

 

[getaclue]

@eryan, leave the egg alone. After the external pip, the chick can rest up to 12 hours, before it starts zipping.