A hammer fell on my baby chick

[Chicken Mamma11]

There was a hammer on top of the brooder and it fell from above her on her back and now she can't walk. I don't know what to do. She seems okay with the exception of her right leg. When she tries to stand she falls over. She can somewhat support herself on her left leg and kind of get around. It doesn't seem dislocated. She has full range of motion. Any advice?

 

[azygous]

How much time has passed since this accident occurred?

Such an accident can cause immediate paralysis, but more crucial, eventual death from crushed organs. The important thing is whether this was a glancing blow and the symptoms are mostly from shock or if the injuries will cause quick decline.

If the chick gets better over the next 24 hours, then the outlook will be more encouraging. If the chick declines at a steady rate, the outlook is poor. Meanwhile, treat the chick for shock with one teaspoon of sugar in one cup of warm water. Dip the chick's beak in this solution and encourage it to drink as much of it as possible over the span of the next 24 hours.

By tomorrow, we should know if this chick can survive this or not.

 

[Shadrach]

There was a hammer on top of the brooder and it fell from above her on her back and now she can't walk. I don't know what to do. She seems okay with the exception of her right leg. When she tries to stand she falls over. She can somewhat support herself on her left leg and kind of get around. It doesn't seem dislocated. She has full range of motion. Any advice?

Euthanize the chick. If the blow has caused enough damage to make the chick behave in anything but a normal fashion then the chances of a full recovery are slim.

 

[Chicken Mamma11]

How much time has passed since this accident occurred?

Such an accident can cause immediate paralysis, but more crucial, eventual death from crushed organs. The important thing is whether this was a glancing blow and the symptoms are mostly from shock or if the injuries will cause quick decline.

If the chick gets better over the next 24 hours, then the outlook will be more encouraging. If the chick declines at a steady rate, the outlook is poor. Meanwhile, treat the chick for shock with one teaspoon of sugar in one cup of warm water. Dip the chick's beak in this solution and encourage it to drink as much of it as possible over the span of the next 24 hours.

By tomorrow, we should know if this chick can survive this or not.

It happened 2 hours ago at 8:30 am est. She couldn't walk at all at first but now she is getting more feisty. She is flapping her wings and standing, still not fully able to walk but she is trying like heck. She is drinking water and chirping. I don't know if I should try to wrap what appears to be a hurt leg or leave her be and see if she starts doing better on her own.

 

[azygous]

That's a very good sign she may get through this. But you need to treat for shock as I suggested because she could easily die from shock even as her injuries might be superficial.

Continue to update her progress and specific behavior. We may need to add some specific vitamins to her diet to help repair nerve damage.

 

[Farmgirl283420]

Oh no I hope she makes it!

 

[Chicken Mamma11]

That's a very good sign she may get through this. But you need to treat for shock as I suggested because she could easily die from shock even as her injuries might be superficial.

Continue to update her progress and specific behavior. We may need to add some specific vitamins to her diet to help repair nerve damage.

I have given her sugar water and she did drink it. She is making a lot of baby chick chirping sounds. I hope that's a good sign. We have her separated in her own brooder since the other chicks were stepping on her and laying on top of her. I will update progress later. Thank you so much for your help.

 

[Chicken Mamma11]

Oh no I hope she makes it!

Thank you, I feel so awful. I don't even know how it happened. I heard a thud and there was a baby under a hammer.

 

[azygous]

Many of us have had worse accidents with baby chicks happen. It's terribly guilt provoking, but guilt won't help the chick. You are doing everything you can to help the chick, so it cancels out guilt. Stop thinking about it. The chick is likely now to recover.

Next, dissolve a B-complex tablet in the chick's water. This is a vitamin you can buy anywhere they sell vitamins for people. The tablets are water soluble and overdose isn't an issue as excess is excreted in the poops. It will help heal any nerve damage that the chick has sustained. You will probably need to give this B-complex for the next few weeks until the chick is back to normal. By the way, it can turn the chick's poop yellow so don't worry about it.

 

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

Aw, I’m so sorry this happened! You have gotten great advice here, and are doing a wonderful job. Try not to beat yourself up, though I know how hard it is not to feel guilty! I few weeks ago I got a new shipment of chicks in. A lot of them were struggling from the shipment, so I gave them Lots of TLC, and spent my whole day with them. I lost a few, and a few recovered. And one was still under extensive care. After I got them all back in their feet, I put them in the outdoor chick brooder I use. They thrived and I was so happy! I didn’t realize it, but the heater I was using was faulty. I came out one morning, feeling encouraged and excited, and found a whole bunch of frozen chicks I was only able to revive two. I was crushed, so I definitely know how you feel! Accidents are just part of raising animals, you can’t blame yourself. I almost wanted to quit chicken raising that day. But we can’t let the guilt get tl us! You are clearly a wonderful chick parent, and doing a great job. My best wishes!!