I've just had a new hatch of chicks and it's my first. For the most part, I'm happy in that I got 24 chicks but on day 18 I had 37 that looked great when I candled them and am really disappointed the other 13 died. A couple zipped but didn't push out so after 12 to 24 hours, I helped them after removing all the other chicks. They were shrink wrapped and their toes are crooked. I don't believe the toe thing is genetic but given the two symptoms am pretty sure it's a humidity issue.
My questions are:
How do i fix crooked toes if it's minor?
And the one chick who is going to make it I think is pretty crusty and if nothing else, assume the others will pick at its feathers if I don't help get rid of the crusties. Can I wet the chick with warm water and can I put it under the heat lamp then or back in the incubator? I'll run the bator till tomorrow.
Lastly, at what point should I crack open the eggs that don't hatch to determine what the issue was?
My questions are:
How do i fix crooked toes if it's minor?
And the one chick who is going to make it I think is pretty crusty and if nothing else, assume the others will pick at its feathers if I don't help get rid of the crusties. Can I wet the chick with warm water and can I put it under the heat lamp then or back in the incubator? I'll run the bator till tomorrow.
Lastly, at what point should I crack open the eggs that don't hatch to determine what the issue was?