[FiB]

Hello all, much less successful hatch this time only 6 (or 7 if this one survives) out of 20.  We are on day 25 and I just have this last chick that is trying to hatch - trouble it has taken so long, the egg has sort of bonded to its head (dont laugh!) - should I wait for it to dry and hope it falls off if it survives (it also looks like its had its first poo in the egg and has a green bum - sorry if your eating your tea!)  or try to ease it off whilst everything is a bit damp?
Many thanks, F

[suziequeue]

I don't know much about chicks but if it was mine I would leave it and see what happens. Nature is much cleverer than me.


Have you ever seen an adult hen with a bit of shell glued to its head?? No - me neither..... I'm sure it'll fall off if its supposed to......but I have heard advice given on this forum about not interfering with the shell in case a blood vessel is underneath etc etc


OK - so now I have a picture of a chick with a shell hat and a big blood vessel coming out of its head into the shell....... I'm so weird 

[chrismahon]

Humidity is too low FiB. Will need to dampen the membrane stuck to it and get it out quickly. Use a piece of kitchen roll and luke warm water. Trouble is their bones are in a slightly elastic state in the egg. When they hatch they start to set and they may begin to set while its still in the egg.

[suziequeue]

Sorry FiB - I realise now that the chick is still in the shell etc etc. I thought initially that it had just got out and had a bit stuck to its head.


Sorry for sounding glib 

[FiB]

No worries Suzie, not glib at all - just funny. .  I did intervene, but its a sorry state of a chick. still will give it the night. Then Inci going off.  Its a newish incubator with humidity reading and its been at about 65% + since day 19, but with opening and closing to take others out..Or maybe the reading is faulty..?  Thanks for replies

[FiB]

Well, amazed to say little egg head has survived the night ( I really was seriously considinring 'putting it out of it's 'misery' last night it looked so pathetic) and is walking about in the inci in a wobbly way.  Now I've just got to bath the egg and s**t off its bum. Livin the dream . 

[Mammyshaz]

   hpoe little egg head continues good progress  . It does sound promising now.

[sabrina]

Hope little chick is doing well 

[in the hills]

   Good luck, little chick.

[jaykay]

Sounds quite promising - how is little EggHead now?

As Chris says, they do get stuck sometimes as the humidity isn't high enough and either a water spray or a piece of wet paper towel are needed to help free them.

[FiB]

Thanks for all good wishes. EggHead still hanging on in  - its now looking like a newly hatched chick (rather than an embryo).  But Mission 'remove bits of shell and concrete poo from bum' failed - I even held the poor sods behind in warm water for a bit to see if it would loosen,  Luckily its not blocking any important orifices so put it back into inc. to dry and hope it falls off naturally.  What a start to its life!  Now figuring out how I will integrate it with its 2-4 day old siblings (especially as I only have one heat lamp). Think I will set up a small box within the box. It has water in the incubator and is drinking so its OK in there for a bit yet, I think. 

[jaykay]

As long as it's not 'blocked up' I should leave the poo for now then.
Yes, its own box, so it can see the others but not be 'got' by them for a couple of days would work well and then I'm sure it'll be fine in with them 

[chrismahon]

Sounds like a good plan FiB. Puzzled what to do with the bit stuck on its head though as it needs to come off? Need to watch the poo as well as more may stick to it and block the vent. At that stage the pressure builds up and either the chick dies or the poo tears off the backside taking the skin/vent with it.

[Dizzycow]

I've had this dilemma so often. Unfortunately I'm one of those types who peels off a corner of wrapping paper on the christmas presents for a sneak peek, so I tend to go for helping rather than leaving nature to do it's own thing. Sometimes the results have justified my interfering, but not always. The warm water and a clean sponge are bang on, keeping that bit of warm water on the egg shell and poo bit will soften them enough to pick them off. Usually I find that this type of situation ends with a chick with splayed legs, or who just can't get up off it's side. Humidity is definitely the key. I now put a wet sponge into the incubator for the last three days just for extra, it has definitely helped.
Good luck! 

[plt102]

I agree. Damp cloth, sponge or kitchen roll in incubator for the last 2 days. We hatch polands and silkies and they sometimes get egg or poo stuck in their fluffy bits. I always help if they have been moving and cheeping a lot but can't get out. Damp warm dabbing of poo or egg shell and carefully picking off defo the way to go. You can always leave little un in incubator with water and bring it out for a cuddle and some food for a couple of days until it is strong enough not to be squashed or bullied and then introduce to the others with careful watching. Good luck