[sioux57]

Hi, I have had some eggs in the incubator today being 21 days, I have 1 pipping and I can hear it cheaping. They are bantams and was getting worried because some say they can hatch at 18 days, anyone had their eggs hatch early?

[joyfull]

what breed of bantams, not all hatch on day 19 - and the days of 19 and 21 are only a generalisation only. I have had eggs hatch anytime from days 17 through to 28 

[sioux57]

They are silver laced wyandottes bantams 1 was infertile I saw some movement in 3 at 17 days but this is the 1st time so I am not sure if they were ok or not, I have been looking at candled eggs on utube to see if mine look similar. I also have 6 under a broody hen that are due this weekend. sue

[hatcher]

I would leave them for an extra couple of days as Ive had chicks hatch on day 23 quite a few times,this is especially true if theres been a dip in temperature at all.

[sioux57]

All went ok so I thought it took nearly all day for 1 to hatch, the next day another pipped and hatched really quick within an hour. Then 2 more eggs pipped 1 hatched but took all day, the next morning when i came home from work i decided to help the last chick out as she seemed to have dehydrated and was stuck. I used a wet cotton bud and broke off bits of shell. She had egg yolk which had dried and stuck her together like glue but she survived bless. Now I have 3 of those chicks with what I think is splayed legs, the chick that hatched quick is running around feeding and drinking with no problems, gutted for them, don't know what caused this can anyone help because I definately don't want this to happen again I have more eggs for the incubator, what have I done wrong HELP!!!!! Sue. 

[joyfull]

here is hobble my sabelpoot who had splay legs but is now perfectly ok thanks to grannie annie attaching a corrector for a couple of days:-

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=78156.0

[sioux57]

I saw an article on a website about something similar using plasters to tape their legs together, being a nurse I got some last night at work and this morning have taped their legs together leaving a gap so their legs are not completely together and it seems to have worked on 1 already he seems much better and is trying to get to his feet but the other 2 keep rolling about but seem ok in themselves, early days have to keep a close eye on them. The temp on the incubator was constant have no complaints it is a brinsea eco 20 with a cradle. Will probably give the straws a go later today though, many thanks for your quick response, Sue.
Nothing is ever straight forward lol

[GrannieAnnie]

The elastic bands I used through the straw and round Hobble's legs, was one of the little ones used for keeping jam pot covers on, and I cut the straw to about half an inch.  Mind you, the poot chicks are VERY small! 

Joy bought some 'proper' ones from Ebay, but she said they only looked like the straws with an elastic band through them!

Previously I had used the plasters, but I think the straw looks neater and doesn't stick to their little legs.

Hope your little ones are okay Sue!!

[joyfull]

the ones that don't stick to the legs are better for chicks with feathered legs such as poots (otherwise it may be a bit like using wax hair removing strips  ouch!!).

[sioux57]

I'v wrapped the tape around the straws yes had to be careful removing the plasters but it was fine. All in the lap of the Gods now, first time doing this what a way to learn. Sue
Thanks everyone so glad I joined this forum great so many people are willing to give advice and support.