A constipated, lonely chick. Advice, please?

[RedheadErin]

The CW's are really rude and pushy. At first I thought they were bullying the little one, but the more I watch them, the more I think they are just rude to each other and the little one gets caught up in it. This morning, I took the youngest-looking one and put it in with the baby. I went back to check on them, and found them both cuddled up under the big stuffed mama chicken. All together now: AWWWWWW! So I left them like that all day, but called a neighbor to come peek at them mid-day.

The baby is looking a whole bunch better. One of the bent toes corrected itself. I splinted the other one just now. (Much to the fascination of the others) The head seems to be coming along, progressing a little more toward symmetry each day. The eyes are just about even. You can still see where the ridge for the comb veers off to one side; it will be interesting to see how this develops. I think the wings are still underdeveloped.

I have been looking at the other ones from the same...litter? What do you call a bunch of chicks born from the same mom at the same time? Anyway, the others do seem ore advanced, but I think that is because they get more exercise and also have their mom to help them.

I hope to heaven this thing is a girl. I cannot imagine how I will keep 3 males, but at this point, sending it away won't be an option.

 

[Beldenfarm]

So glad to hear the little survivor is doing well!!!

From experience, I would take the toe splint off of the baby and wait at least a week or 2 before you re splint it. I have seen in many of my newly hatched chicks bent toes, curled feet, curled toes, and they all were corrected within a week on their own, with no splints. they will walk on it and it usually just goes back to normal when their muscles begin to develop. if it doesnt correct ittself by 2 weeks, then go right ahead and tape it up.
I say take it off now, only because it makes it that much harder for the little guy to walk around and be "normal" he wont be able to climb up on the toy or rough house with the others without slipping or waddling around. it may prevent proper muscle development wich is so crucial at this time because he might have a harder time walking, or may feel discomfort from the splint, and therefore be discouraged from walking. once it is stronger, and if its still not corrected, then by all means put it back on but only once they are stronger!

wishing the best

 

[RedheadErin]

The tape fell off after a couple of days, and the toe looks much better. It still curls down when I lift the chick off the floor, but when he (or she--please let it be a she!) stands on it, the the toe is nice and straight. Hooray!

I'm no longer worried about this little one's survival--it seems quite healthy and content. It plays with the bigger ones in the brooder, and they even seem a little protective of it. The other day I made a noise that startled them, and they all went running to a corner--with the little one right in the middle! This one is lagging behind its siblings out in the yard, however. It is still a bit smaller and the pin feathers are coming in more slowly. The outdoor sibs have most of their wing feathers and some tail feathers, but this one is still working on the second row of wing feathers. The wings themselves also seem tiny...maybe its just me?

The head is shaping up nicely. It looks completely symmetrical now, but I wonder if the comb is going to grow in straight, or if it will be crooked along the same line as the ridge.

 

[chirpingcricket]

The tape fell off after a couple of days, and the toe looks much better. It still curls down when I lift the chick off the floor, but when he (or she--please let it be a she!) stands on it, the the toe is nice and straight. Hooray!

I'm no longer worried about this little one's survival--it seems quite healthy and content. It plays with the bigger ones in the brooder, and they even seem a little protective of it. The other day I made a noise that startled them, and they all went running to a corner--with the little one right in the middle! This one is lagging behind its siblings out in the yard, however. It is still a bit smaller and the pin feathers are coming in more slowly. The outdoor sibs have most of their wing feathers and some tail feathers, but this one is still working on the second row of wing feathers. The wings themselves also seem tiny...maybe its just me?

The head is shaping up nicely. It looks completely symmetrical now, but I wonder if the comb is going to grow in straight, or if it will be crooked along the same line as the ridge.

Hey RedheadErin,
Just wanted to say yoohoo on the baby, been following up with you since that first post, looks like it's progressing nicely. So happy for you!

 

[RedheadErin]

Thanks! Does anybody know if it is normal for brooder chicks to be smaller than outdoor chicks of the same age/breed/brood?

 

[Beldenfarm]

Hi there! I had a few chicks of the same hatch/ breed and all were pretty similar in size for the same breed, only compare sizes to the same type of breed. my buff orps were much much larger than my RIRs and delawares for a while, now the delawares are larger than everybody! i had a itty bitty silkie baby with spraddle legs, which i fixed, and he was walking around like a champ but was still the size of an egg after week 1, where all the other silkies were double his size, he ended up passing away i think because his body wasnt big enough for his insides and he was in pain all the time. I have found that usually runts wont make it, but i always like to try to help them the best that i can and cross my fingers!

how is this little one doing???

 

[jdoane]

What a story this one is!!! I would love to see pictures!

 

[ChickieG'ma]

RedheadErin: I have really been enjoying the story of your little chick and hope very much SHE continues to thrive. Some of the details of this story made me believe you may like this story of a chick that was a little different ( a real story too! ) https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/563302/derperella-the-weird-faverolles-friends