Baby Chick With Duct Tape Issue

[randomchick]

So I just got my shipment of day old chicks in, and one came with duct tape stuck to the wing. Turns out to be an honest accident where the box side ripped a bit, and the delivery person/store clerk(not sure whose mistake it was) taped the box up with duct tape so the chicks would not get out or hurt.

Well, now I have this little day old chick with duct tape stuck to its little wing. I have trimmed back the tape as much as I felt comfortable, the poor thing was stuck to the box. the chick seems fine, running around, eating, drinking, happy. But how do I get the duct tape off without hurting the poor thing.

Any help would be great, this little man is such a great spirit, so friendly already, I don't want to cause him any harm. My son has already named him ductty, and wants to keep him (instead of eat him.)

 

[Renee']

Would it be okay to leave it on her and let it shed naturally with her down?

 

[ranchhand]

If you can hold it completely still, you might be able to use a single edge razor blade to shave it off. But you really don't want to slip!

 

[Katy]

If it's not bothering it I'd just leave it alone.

 

[Buugette]

I would wait a couple days (just to let the chick get stronger) then soak the tape/wing in some water with a little vinegar... let the adhesive get soggy and you should be able to carefully pull it off. Pull from the body out to the tip of the wing... the tape won't dissolve, but it will get mushy.

D

 

[BlueMoon]

I'm thinking WD-40, instead of vinegar

 

[LoreenH]

Quote:
I think WD-40 would be toxic if it got any in it's mouth, and it might hurt it's skin. Goo-gone is made from orange oil and it would probably work better.

 

[chickerdoodle]

Whatever you do don't let the chick get chilled!!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

If you're going to use oil, use something all natural from your kitchen cabinet--olive, safflower, even corn.

You might want to get a dropper and apply a drop or two along the edge of the tape closest to the body. They just let is soak in for a day or two and see if it loosens up. More drops of oil and waiting if necessary.

 

[fldiver97]

I would try oil...the kind for human consumption. Work a drop at a time in from the edges as the chick tolerates. Get as much off as you comfortably can. Dry excess with paper towel. One product we used for Seabird rescue after a big oilspill was Dawn Dish Detergent. The birds did fine for cleaning/bathing with sudsy water to remove gunk. Good luck