CARE OF NEWLY HATCHED CHICKS

Eggs should be allowed to hatch on their own or help should be given only under duress and the help should be minimal. What ever the circumstances, it is important to allow the chicks to exit the shell on their own. At the time of internal pipping, the bird has not yet internalized all of the yolk material and the blood vessels that are attached to the inside membranes of the shell have not dried up sufficiently to allow the bird to hatch normally. The final process of exiting the shell may take many hours to several days, depending on the vigor of the bird. It may be necessary to remove pieces of sharp shell or to remove dried membranes to assist the chick in this process. Birds taken out of the shell prematurely (right; rhea) often have incompletely internalized yolk sacs and are often subject to umbilical and yolk sac infections.

Once the bird has completely exited the shell, treat the umbilical area with liberal amounts of 7% Iodine. This will help disinfect the area, prevent bleeding, and minimize bacterial contamination.

Ostrich Book