[Nickie]

Hi wise ones,

We are hatching our first ever chicks in a small (7 eggs) incubator. The first chick hatched last night & 4 more this morning, the last one is empty when candled, so 5 out of 6 success rate.

The problem is that they are all still wet & haven't gotten dry & fluffy at all. The walls of the incubator are full of condensation. One of the chicks got stuck, so against advice in book, we opened it up, freed the chick, wiped the walls & floor dry & then put them back in. Incubator set up in the house, so only dropped a degree or so.

Have we done the right thing? Should we move them while they are still wet? Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks

[goosepimple]

Only if under a heat lamp, they should stay constantly warm, don't worry about food and I wouldn't worry about water until the morning as they may drown, keep them relatively confined under the lamp.

[Nickie]

Thanks Goosepimple.

So you think they'd be better off out of the incubator & under a heat lamp now, rather then leave them in the incubator until they are dry & fluffy? Should we do that tonight, or leave them until the morning, do you think?

Everything's such a worry first time around isn't it, not knowing what to do for the best. I felt the same first time we lambed & calved as well.

[WaltDisneyWorld]

Personally, I would leave them in the incubator overnight and then pop them under a heat lamp with food and water available in the morning. They may fluff up but you have upset the humidity. However don't worry I am sure they will be fine and if not quite as fluffy as you would like they will in time grow their feathers.

[doganjo]

The incubator should be fine for them but it's a worry that it became misted up - perhaps too much water at the end.  Now that you have dried it up and there isn't water in the container it shoud be Ok for them overnight.

[OhLaLa]

The reason they were wet is the humidity was too high (vent not correctly opened and/or too much water in tray). You should have a vent on the incubator that can be opened a little? Nothing left to hatch so letting some of that moisture out shouldn't have created a problem (you need the humidity to help them hatch out, but too much and they can drown in the egg and/or you will find you have wet chicks). Keep an eye on the temp thermometer. Consider buying a humidity gauge for the next hatch.

Check the vent, then the temp and they hopefully should be ok in there overnight.

Are you using a heat lamp once they are out of the incubator? If so, make sure the bulb has been on a while before popping them under it. They should stay together but if they huddle under it, they are too cold, if they move away, they are too hot. Keep an eye on them and use your judgement. The bulb shouldn't be placed too low, and when they settle they should be not be directly under it. And they should have plenty of room to move closer/away as necessary.

Only just spotted this post, but hope this helps at this late hour.

[Nickie]

Thank you so much for all your help.

I definitely think we had too much water in. Was advised to add more 3 days before hatching to ensure there was enough humidity, but I think we filled it too high. It was ok when it was just one chick hatched, he dried off overnight, but when the others hatched the humidity was so high we could hardly see what was going on. Then one got stuck between the unhatched egg & the side wall & couldn't move so we needed to go in. I asked OH about a vent at the time, but he said there wasn't one. Now it's empty I'll have a good look & see if I can find one.

Anyway, the good news is that they have all survived the night & are a lot drier than they were. 4 are really quite strong, but one is still a little weak. We moved them into the brooder at about 6:30 this morning & they all went under the heat hopper thing. It's down low at the moment & has been on all night to warm up. They weren't interested in food or water at that point, but I'm just off out to see if I can tempt them.

Thanks again guy's, fingers crossed they'll pull through despite their idiot owners!

[Sylvia]

It may help them feed if you put a few chick crumbs on the floor and "peck" at it with your fingernail, this will give the chicks an idea of what to do.

[manian]

we cook an egg (hard boiled) and mix it with crumbs. they eat up quickly then
Mx

[OhLaLa]

Don't worry. They don't usually eat for about 24 hours after hatching.

Put the water and chick crumbs in there (not directly under the heat) and don't worry too much at this stage. Later in the day you can tap softly and gently on the side of the chick crumb container (like their mum would if eating) to bring their attention to the food. Once one starts to eat the others will copy when they are ready.

Keep posting if you need anymore help. We will do our best for you.

 

[Nickie]

Thanks everyone,

I checked on them earlier & they seem fine. I 'played' with some crumb, dropping it onto a sheet of paper so it made a noise & one of them came over to see what I was doing & started eating. After he'd had a good feed I introduced him to the water & then he had a good walk around the brooder & back under the heat with the others. I'm hoping he'll show the others what to do.

[TheCaptain]

is it the brinsea little 7 egg incubator?

[Nickie]

TheCaptain,

Yes that's the one. It turns automatically, but I can't see an obvious adjustable vent.

[Dizzycow]

I have the same incubator but haven't had that problem. I've just been in touch with their support team because I need a new adaptor, they're really friendly and helpful. I'd call them if I were you!

[jaykay]

I pick them up and dip their beaks in the water, when they've fluffed up and ready to start eating and drinking (very shallow or with marbles in so they can't drown  ). They object loudly but they do often then stop and have a drink.