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Newly hatched chick flipping over

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Sharon Yorks:
I've hatched close to 200 chicks so far this year, which I guess isn't really a LOT, but I'm trying to stay small and focus on quality. I don't think that 4-5 weak chicks would constitute a genetic issue considering the incubator problems I've been having that may have been part of the issue. During my last hatch this week, most of the chicks in my one incubator hatched early on Monday, but I like to leave them all in and not open it until at least 36 hours after the first one hatches. I checked the temperature and humidity before I went to bed and all was fine. When I checked them again the next morning, the temperature had bottomed out and all of the chicks were huddled together in a corner. I quickly took all of the chicks out and put them under the heat light and then found 4 pipped eggs with cold chicks screaming for help. I didn't feel they had a fair shot at hatching so I helped the 4 out and 1 of those was 1 that had the weak muscles.

I understand the "sacrifice some in favor of bettering the breed" and maybe I wouldn't think twice about culling a weak chick had it been hatched under one of my hens, but until I'm certain my temperamental incubators aren't the main contributing factor, I gotta help the little critters get a fair shot at it. Besides, I don't think 4-5 out of almost 200 is really all that bad considering. I'm pretty happy with my gene pool and have very strong, great producing birds. I don't keep anything that doesn't measure up to a very high standard. I DO need to get on a better vitamin supplement regiment, though. Thanks for pointing that out.   

Tailfeathers:
That sounds like "stargazing" to me.  I think I had a chick do that several years ago.  Don't remember if it was an Ameraucana or not.  If I remember right, I just put it down.  Seem to recall it was a Vitamin B-something deficiency.  I think I read it could be corrected but that it may need continued vitamin supplements.  Not sure.  Pretty sure I just put it down because I hatch enough that there was no reason to risk it.

Anyways, you might wanna look up Stargazing.

God Bless,

Royce

greeneggsandham:
I found this and it reminded me of this post, so, passing it on.  Seems to be Vitimin E related.

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/218/vitamin-e-deficiency

Sharon Yorks:
I just read that article and that really doesn't sound like what this was. It just seems to me that these chicks were a little weak getting started. After Russ has mentioned the higher protein diet, I realized I hadn't helped my breeders much in that category. All of these chicks snapped out of it very quickly after giving them a good dose of vitamins and helping them get to their feet and get moving.

greeneggsandham:
A dose of Vit E helped a chick I had that was flipping over.  It was almost immediate.  I had previously given him vitimin drops and 48 hours later would still find it on it's back.  Maybe it was coincidence or maybe it just needed more time, idk.

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