|
Post by genuinesqueak on Oct 9, 2008 22:19:42 GMT 8
But they started last night!
I've got a suspicion (spelling??) that my thermometer is wrong! It has said it's ben exactly on 100 and not straying much past it the whole time, and the fact they are all hatching must mean it was a bit too hot.
They seem to be doing ok but some are having problems. Curled up toes, yolk sac still there and one fell onto its back and couldn't get up so i had to turn him/her over. I also filled up the water container because it was gettign low, now i think i stuffed it up because they're all wet again!!
Please tell me it's all going to be alright, i'm so stressed now, especially about them being wet again! Wet is better than the water tray drying out tho isnt it?? eek!
|
|
|
Post by horses7 on Oct 10, 2008 7:12:01 GMT 8
Don't give up hope squeak, it definitely sounds like you have a temp problem, every set back does have its positives, now you know that you have to keep on eye on the temp by using a 2nd thermometer to dble check, if they are due to hatch, it usually is a bit late to try and do anything to alter the humidity factor, the best thing to do is to open it only when you really have to, and hope that the extra humidity comes from the chicks themselves when they hatch. there are splints etc you can try and correct the curled toes with, but the earlier you do it the more success rate you will have. good luck and keep us posted on how they go
|
|
|
Post by chooken on Oct 10, 2008 7:59:50 GMT 8
Well done Gsqueak you have your first hatch even with some problems. Believe me each hatch will be stressful for different reasons. It does sound as though you temperature is too high. We try to keep our temp as close to 37c as possible. One hundred in the old language is just too high. Not much you can do now I know but keep it in mind. H7 is right, if you splint asap you will have more success. We have also done this with splayed legs and have been able to save some chickens from pain.
While on the subject, what are some suggestions for chicken that hatch with some of their tummy still protruding? We have tried gently puttting it back in and placing a small piece of elastoplast over it. It has worked and chickies have survived any other suggestions?
|
|
|
Post by genuinesqueak on Oct 10, 2008 9:31:40 GMT 8
I hatched a perfect hatch last time with my tmep at 100 (that's what the instructions say in the incubator manual). Just for some reason it didn't work this time. That's why i think the plastic backing from the thermometer has moved slightly. Argh!
I also woke this morning to one with splayed legs. So now i'm off to figure out how to splint them!
|
|
|
Post by chooken on Oct 10, 2008 12:01:12 GMT 8
As I mentioned to Bubba in another thread, we found a digital thermometer a very good investment. It gives a more accurate reading. The thermometer we actually got with our incubator was out by two degrees according to the digital one and another one we already had. You should always get a second opinion.
Splinting isn't easy when you have little legs going everywhere. We have tried rubber bands in a figure eight, what methods do others have to share?
|
|
|
Post by genuinesqueak on Oct 10, 2008 13:32:12 GMT 8
I'm definitely investing in a digital one i wanted one for this hatch but never got around to it. grrr. If only i had've! Ahwell time will tell
|
|
|
Post by beck on Oct 10, 2008 15:33:11 GMT 8
oh genuinesqueek that is sad i hope all goes well and the chickies are ok best of luck
|
|