Assisted chicken in need of further assistance...crop issue...wobbly legs?

[Purpletie3]

So, my little guy who was born friday has some wobbly legs. Was a total assist. Also, my first chick and only chick that hatched. He gets around great and it presents no issues. Is this like a baby learning to walk or maybe an issue? He was on cedar shvings but I removed them for what is the second issue...


One side of the chest is puffed up like arnold schwarzeneger...the other like pee wee herman. I read on here something about crop...the little guy was pecking at the shavings. So, I cleared the tank of the shavings & his stuffed animal and put in cardboard instead...took away the food and felt for a bump....yup...little bump there. Pretty solid bump. I massaged it and left it with water only. Still chirping and pooping away.

What should I be doing with my 3 day old chick to help it get the best shot here....?????

 

[Eggcessive]

He needs a non-slip surface. the pine shavings are fine, but cover them with paper towel for the first week until he knows what his food looks like. He may have a normal crop--they tend to look full in chicks. Adding some SavAChick electrolytes and vitamins to his water for 2 days may perk him up. Here is a link about chicks and leg problems: https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

 

[Purpletie3]

He needs a non-slip surface. the pine shavings are fine, but cover them with paper towel for the first week until he knows what his food looks like. He may have a normal crop--they tend to look full in chicks. Adding some SavAChick electrolytes and vitamins to his water for 2 days may perk him up. Here is a link about chicks and leg problems: https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

Thanks. He is on cardboard...is that non-slip enough or should I be looking for something else? I have some save a chick...I will use that. I had given him an fried egg yolk earlier in the day for vitamins before researching the throat issue.

I am going to check on that link now.

 

[Purpletie3]

What does a normal crop feel like? This kinda feels like a hard pea.

 

[Eggcessive]

A normal crop feels soft, but you may actually be feeling the chick crumbles. An impacted crop feels hard and doesn't go down. Cardboard seems too slick. I always use the pine shavings with paper towel or just a couple of layers of paper towel and change them often. If the crop is a concern, I would try dipping his beak into water often and massaging his crop a little.

 

[Purpletie3]

Thanks, I put a 100 % cotton baking cloth over the top of the cardboard. It seems to be working well. He can't eat it and it gives him some traction. I took away his stuffed animal so he won't pick it's fuzz or jump off it.

The little pea is still there this morning. I have been putting some oilve oil on his beak and giving him water and electrolyte solution. I tried yogurt and only had greek yogurt and it wasn't interested in it. Oatmeal is too big for him. I am thinking I need to make it some applesauce or even a runny egg yolk???. I just don't know what the best nutrition for this 4 day old chick is.

We were pulverizing the crumble for it anyhow but are not giving it any of that. After reflection I realize it was eating cedar shavings and fuzz from the stuffed animal...that's where I think the issue wound up.

I am going to continue with massage, oil and soft liquid food. Anything else I should be doing?


I am a retired gal with nothing but time to dote to this little guy.

 

[Wxguru]

Boil up a couple of hard boiled eggs. Don't give them all at once obviously, but give her one today. It might help. I had a lethargic 2 day old chick and Meyer Hatchery told me to try the egg. She ate as much as she wanted, and 24hrs later was doing really well. Now any time I set a boiled egg in the brooder, the girls are stepping on each other to get to it. The little girl who I nearly lost usually stands in the bowl trying to claim it all for herself!

Definitely use electrolytes in the water, and maybe some ACV to prevent pasty butt. I had one with pasty butt I caught almost immediately. Used ACV in water ever since and not one issue.

 

[Purpletie3]

Boil up a couple of hard boiled eggs. Don't give them all at once obviously, but give her one today. It might help. I had a lethargic 2 day old chick and Meyer Hatchery told me to try the egg. She ate as much as she wanted, and 24hrs later was doing really well. Now any time I set a boiled egg in the brooder, the girls are stepping on each other to get to it. The little girl who I nearly lost usually stands in the bowl trying to claim it all for herself!

Definitely use electrolytes in the water, and maybe some ACV to prevent pasty butt. I had one with pasty butt I caught almost immediately. Used ACV in water ever since and not one issue.

Okay, boiled egg yolk coming up! What is ACV?

 

[Percheron chick]

Apple cider vinegar. The natural one with mother in it. You should be able to find it in the organic section.

 

[Purpletie3]

I am loaded with Braggs... thanks.