What to do about dying chick in incubator

[our4sons]

Our chicks started hatching today and so far we have two quitters and one that is fully hatched that is definitely dying. I really don't want my house to start stinking, should I quickly take them out? Also the thermometer has slipped down on top of a piping chick should I move it. Or should I just leave the incubator closed like everyone says to???

BTW- I this is our first time incubating eggs (as if you couldn't tell LOL )

 

[sonew123]

how can you tell it's dying? and how can you tell the others quit-they do take rather long naps during this whole process....

 

[our4sons]

Well the dying one is just laying (and has been for 7 hours) there getting trampled and not moving very much if at all. As for the quitters one there has been no movement with them for 6 hours at least. The one quitter has the cracked line all the way around and you can see it pretty well with no movement.

There is also one hatched chick that is sitting on his back and has been since he hatched at 12 pm. Every once in a while he looks like he is trying to get up but can't. I keep wanting to stick my hand in there and help him up :s

 

[sonew123]

ooh trampled? how many are running around them? 7 hrs not moved at all? I haven't heard of one laying there for that long after it's hatched but taking looong naps is normal for them--just wait a little bit someone with alot more experience with thsi wil come shortly--I bumped you though to stay up on the posts and will check back...good luck

 

[our4sons]

Thanks!

Only three chicks are trampling him but they are brutal

We have a total of 5 fully hatched eggs and 9 piping.

 

[nstamper2000]

I know some ppl say not to help hatch but I did with mine and they are fine now. I am glad I did. If it has been over 8 hours and they have been pipping and zipping for that long give them an extra boost. It is okay to lift the top of the incubator for that long. Go ahead and take the baby chick out. If it is still alive, get a water droper and sugar water, pedealyte howerever you spell that and drop tiny bits on its beak and do this a few times an hour. Put it in small box with a light on it and keep it warm. I had to do this with one of mine. It laid there for a day and a half and finally I got it to perk up.

As far as the ones hatching peel little bits of the shell off at a time. Very gently. Make sure you have some warm water and a coton ball. carefully pull back the membrane. Wet it a little as you go. If you start to see blood stop and put it back in the incubator and let it sit for a little while. Then try again. Keep doing this little by little. Eventually it may be able to hatch itself or you may be able to finish it. This is a very long process. I would help though. I would have more alive if I would have helped more. But thank goodness I helped some and now have seven happy, healthy fluffy butts.

There are very various opinions on this but as for me I considered it life and death and I am very thankful I helped.

 

[our4sons]

Well we were able to help one hatch successfully and the trampled one came back to life the minute it got a taste of the sugar water

We did put it in a box with a heat lamp and will leave it there to make sure it is perked up sufficiently

Thanks for your help !!!

 

[the_eagle69]

your last post sounds good if my temps are good on day 19 or 20 and i start seeing pips i do slip the thermometer out very quickly i also try to slip out the dry fulffy chicks it is best not to open the bator but some times it has to be done.

 

[nstamper2000]

Great! sometimes that is all it takes. I got the sugar water advice from someone on here. It is nice to have someone to go where there are so many experts. I always come here when I have a problem. Make sure you post some pics of the new babies when you can.

 

[our4sons]

I will ! Just as soon as I figure out how lol. Do you just post a link to your photo that is in photobucket?

We are starting to get excited again

Our middle son is even naming the hatched chicks now

The dying chicks were depressing! I sure wish I had asked much earlier in the day I truly think 3 more could have been saved. Once again, Thank you so much!