Baby chick born with deformity.

[Motherhen1993]

Hello, I need help and don't know where to turn. My father began raising chickens and we have an incubator and all. Now we're not specialist, but the first time we used it, the eggs hatching successfully was close to 90%, almost all the eggs hatched into healthy little chicks. Now the second time was an entire different story. Out of 40 eggs, only five survived. The last one that was born, I realized afterwards that the poor thing had a deformity in his legs. One is shorter than the other, and the other one his toes seem closer together. Its been two days, now going on the third since he was born and he's still alive. He's under a red lamp, but we separated him from the other four cause they're older and we're scared they'll try to kill him. I put some food on the floor near him, since he can't really stand. The water is in a bowl that's pretty low. I'm at a lost of what to do, what are the chances of him surviving? Has anyone ever had to deal with this situation? If so what did you do? I can't bare the thought of killing him, even if its to stop his suffering. I'm not even sure if he's in pain to be honest. I love animals too much, this situation is incredibly hard, especially since no one I know can help out. I want to give him a chance to live. Your help and advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Can you post pictures ? Maybe a chick shoe will help if his will is strong.

 

[Motherhen1993]

Here's the pictures. I tried taking some without causing him too much stress. As you can see, the food is on the ground because he can't stand. He wobbles around so it goes everywhere.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you pick the chick up and get some better photos?
It looks like a leg/foot is curled behind it - is that correct?

 

[Motherhen1993]

Can you pick the chick up and get some better photos?
It looks like a leg/foot is curled behind it - is that correct?

View attachment 1774842

Yes that is correct. His foot is shorter and only two toes, and does seem curled. I've tried to get a better picture, but he moves too much...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You can't pick him up?

You can try saving this chick, but you will need to give him a lot extra care and that would include holding him and helping him eat/drink every hour or so. Vitamins with B2(Riboflavin) may be helpful. You can also try placing him in a chick chair to get him upright, but he will still need to be hand fed/watered frequently(see links below).

I'm very sorry about the chick, I understand it's hard to see them like this, but if he does not perk up soon, then he's not going to make it. With a leg deformity he may also have something wrong internally as well, you are going on day 3.
Sometimes things just don't go like we plan and a chick is not going to thrive. If you feel that he is not going to make it, then it would be an act of kindness to put him down rather than to languish like that.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/