Baby Chick with Open wound. Just an hour old.

[gopeterson]

I know this is going to sound so bad. My hen had hatched four eggs and two more eggs were still in the box. We also had two eggs that were fresh. We often give our eggs to our labs for a treat. One of the eggs that were given to the dog was an egg that was not hatched yet. Surprisingly, the dog was very gentle and when one of the kids saw that the dog was given an egg that had a chick in it we all ran to stop the dog. The chick seams fine I suppose except for hole in her stomach that is maybe a half of an inch in diameter. We cleaned it and I put steri strips on it to keep her insides from coming out. She is under a lamp by herself. What if anything should I do? We have had chicken for four years and this is our fifth time hatching chicks. We love our chickens and I hate to think that I've killed this little one. Please help!!

 

[Judy]

It sounds like it is its "belly button." Read up on oomphalitis.

 

[gopeterson]

I think it was. After a few hours the hole gone down to the size of a pea. I put some antibacterial ointment one it and before I went to bed last night it was totally closed. I couldn't believe it. She seems to be very wobbly and won't eat or drink though. I'm still worried about her, but I am keeping her inside with me and hoping she will improve.

 

[BantamLover21]

I think it was. After a few hours the hole gone down to the size of a pea. I put some antibacterial ointment one it and before I went to bed last night it was totally closed. I couldn't believe it. She seems to be very wobbly and won't eat or drink though. I'm still worried about her, but I am keeping her inside with me and hoping she will improve.

If you have any chicken vitamins/electrolytes, mix them with water, and perhaps some sugar, and give the water to the weak chick. If it won't drink on its own, dip its beak in the water or drip water down the side of its beak. Perhaps mix some food with the electrolyte water to form a very thin mash, and see if you can get the chick to drink that. Make sure the chick is warm enough, and don't stress it out too much by constant handling and forcing to drink.

 

[gopeterson]

I do think I have some electrolytes. I've been giving her water in a dropper and made her food soft. She has pecked around a little. I put one of the other chicks in with her since her wound is fine now. She seems to have perked up a little. She also seems much smaller than the other chicks. Perhaps she wasn't supposed to be born for a few more days. I really appreciate the help, guys!