Hatch Assist Success, and "wandering chick" question

SilverSage · Oct 27, 2015

Jackie and Sniper's clutch has begun to hatch!

Long story short, the first chick got stuck partway through hatch and I ended up preforming a hatch assist early this morning. It was my first, I was terrified, but everything went very well and baby was fully ready to come out and is back with mamma happy and warm

Now the second egg has pipped, but the baby seems to be wandering around in the air cell, cracking up and down rather than side to side... I'm looking for more info this still, but does anyone have any input?

Also, does anyone have experience needing to assist multiple birds in one clutch? My suspicion is drying of both eggs, as both had toenails put through them in the last two days. The baby who hatched this morning is well hydrated and plump, but the membrane had dried around him. I'm wondering if the toenail puncture has allowed too much drying and is interfering with the movement of the chick. It seems strange to me that two chicks would be in need of help otherwise...

Aquila · Oct 27, 2015

Could it also be a variance in the thickness of the egg? The chick might be trying to find a thinner spot?

Also congrats on the first baby.

Can't wait for pictures of all of them.

SilverSage · Oct 27, 2015

I don't think that's what it is, at least it shouldnt be. He should pip, and then after he has absorbed the yoke and the blood from the membrane, he should rotate inside the egg and basically cut the fat end of the egg off and push himself out. He shouldn't be looking for thinner spots... Also, the eggshells appear normal and consistent in thickness.

SilverSage · Oct 28, 2015

Another late night for me... I am assisting the second egg. I believe the humidity in the nest box is too low, but the parents won't submit to that type of monitoring.

I just want to say that in all areas of life, quality information is key, and sharing what you know is important. If Howard Voren and Susanne Russo hadn't taken the time to share what they know, what they learned from EXPERIENCE and hard work, I would have two dead babies on my hands right now instead of two live ones. I would have no idea how to tell if the chick was in trouble, no clue how to go about helping, and certainly would kill the chick in the process. So even though they won't read this, I need to give credit. Here's to the people out there who put in the hard work, who study, sacrifice, gain knowledge, and share it. I hope I can impact others as well.

Aquila · Oct 28, 2015

I'm very grateful for your updates, as well as your commitment to your birds.

I know I could be facing the same possible situations in the future with my birds, and you're right about experience, you're dealing with lives, and there's no clif notes to hatching babies. Just like there isn't for raising human children, you can get a rough idea of what to expect but first hand experience is the most valuable.

SilverSage · Oct 28, 2015

This morning we have two happy fluffy babies! Assist number two, now named Boomer, was more difficult and prolonged than the first because when I started he wasn't quite as eager to leave the egg (Buster literally popped out of his with force the second he had the chance) and I didn't want to rush him. He was also slightly dehydrated and I gave him two TINY drops of pedialyte. Putting anything in the mouth of a day one scares me to death. But he did not aspirate thank God. Both babies weighed 4 grams at hatch, and Buster is gaining weight at the right rate. My phone is broken so no pics or videos unfortunately

I tried to get those to share.

I really think it was the humidity change in the last few days that caused the problems. I'm still trying to figure out a monitoring system that the parents will accept and that will be safe. All suggestions welcome! I also have my egg incubator, finally, and am working on setting it up. I do have a brooder for the chicks obviously, though they are with mom and dad for now. I was worried about the parents accepting Boomer back because I had him out of their box all night, but they didn't miss a beat. I am keeping a close eye though because they seem to be feeding a more solid mix than I think they should...

There are so many ways to kill a baby bird while you are helping it out of the egg. The two breeders I mentioned above both went to a lot of trouble to leave instructions for the future. Susanne Russo left detailed articles and instructional collages, and Howard Voren left a detailed video.

Aquila · Oct 28, 2015

SilverSage said:
This morning we have two happy fluffy babies! Assist number two, now named Boomer, was more difficult and prolonged than the first because when I started he wasn't quite as eager to leave the egg (Buster literally popped out of his with force the second he had the chance) and I didn't want to rush him. He was also slightly dehydrated and I gave him two TINY drops of pedialyte. Putting anything in the mouth of a day one scares me to death. But he did not aspirate thank God. Both babies weighed 4 grams at hatch, and Buster is gaining weight at the right rate. My phone is broken so no pics or videos unfortunately I tried to get those to share.

I really think it was the humidity change in the last few days that caused the problems. I'm still trying to figure out a monitoring system that the parents will accept and that will be safe. All suggestions welcome! I also have my egg incubator, finally, and am working on setting it up. I do have a brooder for the chicks obviously, though they are with mom and dad for now. I was worried about the parents accepting Boomer back because I had him out of their box all night, but they didn't miss a beat. I am keeping a close eye though because they seem to be feeding a more solid mix than I think they should...

There are so many ways to kill a baby bird while you are helping it out of the egg. The two breeders I mentioned above both went to a lot of trouble to leave instructions for the future. Susanne Russo left detailed articles and instructional collages, and Howard Voren left a detailed video.

Something like this that you might be able to stick on the top of the box or something?
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-PT2466-Hygrometer/dp/B00026053Y/ref=pd_sim_199_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=51qNnRVx-yL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0Q2CCABJC2D749ZERDGM"]Amazon.com : Exo Terra Hygrometer : Pet Supplies[/ame]

SilverSage · Oct 28, 2015

I have a hygrometer, but if it is anywhere in the box, Sniper chews it up. And if it is outside the box it doesn't do any good because the humidity is totally different inside. I'm trying to figure out a way to attach it inside the box in a way that is secure, safe, and will still give me an accurate picture of what is going on in there.

Aquila · Oct 28, 2015

There's a pen style (to spot check) with the sensor in the tip that is relatively inexpensive.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005Y0RFKO/ref=s9_zgift_hd_bw_g201_i7?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-6&pf_rd_r=1VZ4E3MGH0DE2REBD39B&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=2128209662&pf_rd_i=13825071"]Amazon.com - Ambient Weather WS-HT12 Pocket Temperature and Humidity (Thermo-Hygrometer) Pen - Humidity Meter[/ame]

As well as a probe style
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Combination-Thermometer-Hygrometer/dp/B001NOGK7Y/ref=pd_sbs_199_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=51p3Yv1%2BpKL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR95%2C160_&refRID=0RFCWHMWYB4AJPJH8PPR"]Amazon.com: Exo Terra Digital Combination Thermometer/Hygrometer: Pet Supplies[/ame]

I would say with the probe style, drilling a hole for it, or putting some sort of tube around it for protection, but the pen style for spot testing would probably be your best bet, keeping it away from being chewed.

SilverSage · Oct 28, 2015

The problem with the tube would be that it would effect how much humidity reaches the probe, but I'm looking at that pen one!

Hatch Assist Success, and "wandering chick" question

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