Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

My most recent hatch has not gone well. One popped out on Wednesday night - 2 days early. One pipped Wednesday night. One pipped Thursday morning. Humidity was reading between 58-65%. I couldn’t see any other pips it became clear at 4am Saturday morning that the two that had pipped were not progressing but still alive. I decided to help them rather than end up with another lone chick. Btw this was my first time hatching in egg cartons. Long story short-I helped the 2 stuck ones and let them finish pushing out themselves then decided to candle the remaining 4 eggs since I had already opened the bator. No signs of movement in 3. The 4th one had pipped on the wrong end. The egg carton had hidden it from me. The hole was glued shut. I moistened and picked a bit away and suddenly saw a tiny beak gasping for air. Popped everyone back in upped humidity to 70 and went to work. Last night I took all 3 hatched ones out and set up a space on the basement floor (secured and on top of thick mats for warmth) and tucked them under the brooder plate after taping one guys foot because it was curled. Woke up this morning and found only 2 chicks under the brooder plate. I searched and found the poor little taped foot guy lifeless, limp, cold laying on the bare concrete floor dead. There was about 1” of space this guy had to have made it through to get where he was. I felt horrible. Then I remembered reading about chicks coming back so I tucked him under the heat plate and left him alone. 30 minutes later his feet were moving and he was weakly chirping. I couldn’t believe my eyes! He’s now had some sugar water and is back in the incubator with the upside down hatcher who needed some help this morning but Is now out and sounding pretty strong. What a strange Sunday.

I don't like the egg carton method for that exact reason, had too many try to hatch out the wrong end .

Every day is a reminder that I know less and less....what the heck is the egg carton method?...lol..

TomK wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 30, 2018 6:21 am

Every day is a reminder that I know less and less....what the heck is the egg carton method?...lol..

I left the eggs standing in the egg cartons to hatch. I wasn’t a big fan of it. Especially for my bantams. Tried it but doubt I will again. My incubator is packed up for a bit. I can’t stomache shrink wrapped chicks and foot issues and such.

I totally hear you on that! Don't know what's up with this year, I firmly believe it's the weather.

Little guy is still not eating very well and seems cold all the time. Any suggestions?

Too bad you didn't have a silkie hen to take her, she would keep her warm and encourage her to eat.
I would be checking numerous times each day, dip its beak in the water each time, most chicks die because they get dehydrated. Get a childrens vitamin mineral supplement and put in the water, see if that gives it more appetitite.

Well the little fella didn't make it. He refused to eat. So the wee girl is the lone bantam with two Cochin chicks three times her size but she's the boss. She's even trying to boss around the big chicks 3 weeks older. This is why I love oegbs.

LOL - Gotta love bantams in general - feisty little things, aren't they?
Sorry your little guy didn't make it. Last year, our Cookie died because she wouldn't/couldn't/didn't eat. It makes you feel kind of helpless.

Sorry the little one didn't make it. Only time I've had success with these ones is, like Kenya, when I've had a broody to put them under.