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Post by neddyneeds on Feb 21, 2010 10:57:53 GMT 8
I have hatched eggs in my incubator and one chick's feet seem to be like club foot? Can you get club foot in chickens and what can I do for it? Also, is it common to have them almost hatch and then die and should I help them out of the shell if they are taking a very long time? I have got 5 healthy ones, a club foot, one that is a bit weak, one that died half hatched, one hatching at the moment and four more eggs to stare at all day waiting for something to happen. They are time wasters !!
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Post by ikbokchook on Feb 22, 2010 12:36:41 GMT 8
Yep, they sure are time wasters alright! Since no-one else has had a go at this one, I'll put my 2 cents worth in.... I don't really know what you mean by club foot, but I have had chicks hatch that have had wonky toes (not a very good description I know! ) They do seem to straighten out by themselves after a couple of days. I know this probably isn't all that helpful! As for almost hatching and then dying - could be a variety of reasons - maybe your humidity levels are too high? Maybe the nutrition or health of the parents? There's probably other things I can't think of but that's a tricky one for sure. I do tend to help them out of the shell, but the survival rate is usually very poor. I figure at least you gave them a chance, but I know others think differently on this one. Hope this helps a bit, perhaps some of the more experienced folk on here might add something, and good luck with the others not yet hatched!
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Post by neddyneeds on Feb 22, 2010 12:49:31 GMT 8
Thank you Ikbokchook, the little chick could not stand up and shuffled around on his legs, it has now died which I guess is mother nature's way of sorting the strong from the weak. All the others are doing well, including the 2 I helped out. I will leave the unhatched for another day or 2 and see what happens. I got 9 live, 1 died while hatching and 4 unhatched. I think that is a good ratio for my second go at incubating. Thank you again for your 2 cents worth ... Chris
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Post by luv4ducks on Feb 22, 2010 14:27:07 GMT 8
partially hatched chicks can die for a variety of reasons, I've had it happen plenty of times, it's just part and parcel of incubating chicks. I have helped out in the past some of my chicks and ducklings, sometimes you get lucky but other times you loose them, so that is personal preference, alot of people won't assist a chick that is hatching, but I do most of the time. I'm sorry that you lost you're chick
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Post by ashley on Feb 22, 2010 18:44:57 GMT 8
Sorry you lots the chick, sounds like there wasn't much you could have done about it.
I've read in a few places that you shouldn't open the incubator while the chicks are hatching because it lowers humidity, this dries out the membrane which can result in a stuck chick... that being said I've been guilty of helping too... I guess it's a judgement call at the time really.
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