Weak Newly Hatched Chick

[RBchicks89]

Hi guys!
I have a chick that hatched about 12 hours ago who is still unable to stand up in the incubator. He's still very messy and having a hard time drying off. He looks pitiful .
It's my first time using an incubator (broodies for life, this has been so stressful!!) and I'm not sure if I should try to take him out to clean him up. I know I'm supposed to let him dry off so he doesn't get chilled, but I dont want him to get worse.
P.S. My humidity is still up in the upper 60s as I have three more eggs that haven't yet pipped. Three other little chonkers that hatched yesterday are up plowing around the incubator. They look great but this guy seems to be struggling.
Any words of wisdom?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

First, you must relax. Sit on your hands for a bit.
There are many things that can cause weak and/or messy hatchlings. Some of those things happen long before hatch day, sometimes a month or two before and can't be resolved at this point.
Sticky chicks can be from high incubation humidity early on, low incubation temperature, improper turning, old eggs or very large eggs.
Weak chicks can be from high temperature, poor ventilation or contamination.
What are you using to measure temperature and humidity?
I do use hygrometers to measure humidity, but I prefer to rely on weight to ascertain proper humidity. Species, breed, porosity, etc. can alter what is proper humidity so it isn't a set number.

 

[RBchicks89]

Thanks for your input!
I was dumb and just used the gauge on the incubator, but after researching it more it sounds like they can't be trusted. I suspect my humidity was too high early on in the incubation period-the eggs that hatched are 1-3 days late and all were developing well on day 18 when I candled, but 3 have still not pipped.
Guess it's a learning curve.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is always a learning curve, even after years of experience.
1-3 days late means the temperature was low throughout. Probably at least 1F.
The best thing to do is calibrate hygrometers and thermometers but let me recommend 3 thermometers that are accurate out of the box.
The first is https://www.brinsea.com/p-394-spot-check-digital-incubator-thermometer.aspx
While accurate, not my favorite because if it isn't close to ideal temperature, it only reports L or H for low or high but you don't know how low or how high.
The second, that I used for years is https://www.thermoworks.com/rt301wa/ .
It is extremely accurate and fast.
My new favorite is a bluetooth combination thermometer/hygrometer. I don't have to even be in the room to know the readings. It reports to my smartphone.
The Govee model H5074. https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Thermo...la-768559077094&ref=&adgrpid=71762479111&th=1
I have 3 of them.
In lieu of a second hygrometer, get a good pocket gram scale. If you can find a good repeatable gram scale, they are inexpensive and give good results. An egg should lose 11-12% weight the first 18 days. That's about 0.6% or so per day. If you achieve that, your humidity is right.

I believe people who have success hatching yet only rely on their incubator readings are just extremely lucky.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I had to help Peanut out of the egg. He was very messy, and couldn't even stand. I left him in the incubator overnight.

That evening

The next morning

This proves that some chicks just need more time.
I took him out an hour after that photo and gently scrubbed the gunk off with warm water and a soft, worn toothbrush.
I fed him scrambled eggs and taught him to drink (he was weak the first few days so I had to "force" him to feed and drink)
He needed lots of attention, love and special care, but he made it.

If you have any more questions just ask me, I've helped weaklings many times

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I had to help Peanut out of the egg. He was very messy, and couldn't even stand. I left him in the incubator overnight.

That evening
View attachment 2984424View attachment 2984425


The next morning
View attachment 2984426


This proves that some chicks just need more time.
I took him out an hour after that photo and gently scrubbed the gunk off with warm water and a soft, worn toothbrush.
I fed him scrambled eggs and taught him to drink (he was weak the first few days so I had to "force" him to feed and drink)
He needed lots of attention, love and special care, but he made it.

If you have any more questions just ask me, I've helped weaklings many times

And also, yes, I did take out the other 2 because they were stepping on and pecking him.

 

[RBchicks89]

It is always a learning curve, even after years of experience.
1-3 days late means the temperature was low throughout. Probably at least 1F.
The best thing to do is calibrate hygrometers and thermometers but let me recommend 3 thermometers that are accurate out of the box.
The first is https://www.brinsea.com/p-394-spot-check-digital-incubator-thermometer.aspx
While accurate, not my favorite because if it isn't close to ideal temperature, it only reports L or H for low or high but you don't know how low or how high.
The second, that I used for years is https://www.thermoworks.com/rt301wa/ .
It is extremely accurate and fast.
My new favorite is a bluetooth combination thermometer/hygrometer. I don't have to even be in the room to know the readings. It reports to my smartphone.
The Govee model H5074. https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Thermo...la-768559077094&ref=&adgrpid=71762479111&th=1
I have 3 of them.
In lieu of a second hygrometer, get a good pocket gram scale. If you can find a good repeatable gram scale, they are inexpensive and give good results. An egg should lose 11-12% weight the first 18 days. That's about 0.6% or so per day. If you achieve that, your humidity is right.

I believe people who have success hatching yet only rely on their incubator readings are just extremely lucky.

Thank you so much! This is great info!
I did notice that when I put the eggs in lockdown certain ones felt much heavier than others..like they hadn't lost the water yet. I remember thinking to myself that could be a red flag. Now I know how important it is to weigh and mark air cells!

 

[RBchicks89]

And also, yes, I did take out the other 2 because they were stepping on and pecking him.

Thank you! The little guy has a set of lungs on him so I'm hoping he hangs in there. One more has pipped so I dont want to open the incubator, but as soon as it hatches the little bulldozers that are in there with my weak one are getting taken out!
Below are the bulldozers.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

For years, I never measured humidity because I couldn't keep a hygrometer calibrated and weighed before setting and weekly thereafter. Now that I use the Govee, I do track humidity but still rely on weight. I might be lazy, but I've never marked air cells either - weight makes that unnecessary.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Thank you! The little guy has a set of lungs on him so I'm hoping he hangs in there. One more has pipped so I dont want to open the incubator, but as soon as it hatches the little bulldozers that are in there with my weak one are getting taken out!
Below are the bulldozers.

You have more space in there than my incubator so she should be fine