AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Late yesterday after seeing a little wee chick trying its hardest to unzip its egg, I decided like the fool I am to give it a little help. I picked a little of the shell off around the little hole, but dang it a big piece come off instead grrrrrr, it was like OMG!!!! I put it back into the bator and noticed the membrane had some blood on it, I was devastated and could really have kicked myself really hard.
The chick was still breathing strongly so I decided I was going to save it if it took me all night.
I raced out and got a new dish cloth which I moistened with warm water, which I placed around the egg in the incubator leaving the hole clear of the cloth, I did this to help up the humidity so the membrane had a better chance to seperate from the shell. All the while the little silkie chick was calling to me as I spoke encouraging words to it.
A few hours later I noticed the membrane that was exposed was turning white, like it was drying out, not a good sign to me.
I then got a small measuring glass of luke warm water and a tiny 3ml syringe and put a few drops on the membrane to moisten it, the little one was still calling out.
I would leave it for a while till I could hear it practicaly yodelling to me to come back. So back and forth I went talking to the chick with a lot of love and emotion and a lot of guilt.
I ended up passing out from exhaustion of trying to save the wee chick.
At 5 am I jumped out off bed and ran to the bator and my heart sunk when I seen the egg upside down. Then I heard the familiar chirping, and there was the little chick alive and well.
Now it calls to me for cuddles and comfort, and to top that all off, now there are two more little eggs talking to me, and all that after taking the lid off and on so many times during the night.
It was quite a stressful experience, and I hope next time my dear little silkie hen decides to go broody she remains with her eggs till they hatch.

On Sunday the remaining eggs will go into the frypan so I can start to incubate my Araucana eggs that I got from Jan, luckily they are not very old.

I will post a picture of Lucky tonight if I get time between cooking and running to comfort little sweet Lucky.

Take Care All
Deb

sounds like you had quite a night!!
At least it worked out in the end.
be sure to get some sleep tonight.

Hi Peter,
Yes it was one of those nights, and this afternoon a little sibling hatched out and another on the way.

I am so happy little Lucky won't be in the brooder alone after tomorrow when the other little chick dries out (which I might name Buddie) and have someone to snuggle up to because I really think if I put her/him in bed with me to give comfort I might have a bigger disaster on my hands.

Take Care
Deb

So Far my most succsessfull hatches are when I'm not around , And "Mummy" looks after the bators I just cant help myself
I hope your little one is OK

Thanks Ian,

Lucky is doing great and now has 2 little siblings to snuggle up to, another little silkie and 1 little OEG bantam chick.

If no more of the 10 eggs hatch am just relieved that Lucky is no longer alone and crying for my undivided attention (which I gave anyway).

Take Care
deb