Advice please on 2 day old chick

gabrielle1976

Crowing
10 Years
Feb 21, 2009
5,561
71
281
Columbia river gorge
i set 14 but 13 hatched the last chick to hatch , one and two days after the rest of the babies is very very small she is less then half the size of the rest of them , I know if she is two days younger she would be smaller but she is TINY, her feet curl up and she walks on her legs she dosnt stand up strait all the way , I have not seen her eat and drink and some times she falls over onto her back and sometimes when she doest this she twictches. She dosnt apear to be in any pain and she follows the other chicks and cuddles with them.
Any ideas on what can be wrong and if she will catch up?
 
I hate to say it but my experience with chicks like this haven't been good. They tend to linger on a couple days and then pass during the night when I'm not around. Hope this little one takes a turn for the better.
fl.gif
 
You will need to get chick shoes (You can use 'Search' to find instructions) on her right away to straighten out her toes. If you don't, she may be at serious risk.

1. If her toes stay curled, she won't be able to stand up and walk.
2. Her legs may get bruised or scraped from scooting around, and then she'll hold and move her legs funny to try to avoid them hurting.

Either of the above problems is very likely to cause her brain to establish incorrect muscle movement patterns as the way to get around. This very often leads to spraddle leg or other crippling conditions.

I would make sure she is on the softest most non-abrasive flooring possible, and you might add hock pads if it seems it is serious enough to be warranted. There is an explanation of these plus other helpful info at https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=118561.

Good
for you keeping your eye out for troubles!
 
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Ok sorry about her feet, they dont curl in under they are pointed out long ways and then kind curl together just to be as clear as possible, Ill try to put something on her feet if she makes it till morning, Im kinda thinking she is just livein on her yolk right now and i dont really expect her to stay around to long but scicne she seems pretty content and in no pain I wont cull her.
 
Try dipping her beak in some water & then (while it's still wet) into some chick starter. This often wakes up a chick to the idea of drinking and eating.
Best
hugs.gif
 

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