Can’t figure out what’s wrong

[Flockoften]

I have a week old chick that had a difficult hatch. When hatched it couldn’t walk and had curled toes. It’s substantially smaller than the rest of my chicks. It has a hard time balancing and its wing droops when it’s trying to stand. It doesn’t walk but is trying to fly. I can put my hand near it and it won’t move. I’ve been force feeding the chick every few hours with food and water. I’ve purchased splay leg contraptions and the chick will just stay in a corner until I take them off. Something seems extremely off. Please give kind advice. Thank you so much.

 

[tillybilly]

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this, I hate dealing with sick chicks.

Sometimes you just get bad hatches, unfortunately some chicks just aren't as healthy as the others.

I suggest separating it from the others just so it doesn't get pecked on, and also providing food and water. If it doesn't eat continue to hand feed it.

There is a good chance that it may survive, just keep caring as you are for it, I hope you can figure out what's wrong.

 

[Flockoften]

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this, I hate dealing with sick chicks.

Sometimes you just get bad hatches, unfortunately some chicks just aren't as healthy as the others.

I suggest separating it from the others just so it doesn't get pecked on, and also providing food and water. If it doesn't eat continue to hand feed it.

There is a good chance that it may survive, just keep caring as you are for it, I hope you can figure out what's wrong.

Thank you so much for the encouragement.

 

[Eggcessive]

You might try placing the chick in a small wineglass or padded cup to see if it can strengthen its leg muscles. Feed it some moistened chick feed and egg. Riboflavin or B2, which is in B complex, baby vitamins, and in some chicken vitamins, can be given for the curled toes and leg issues. You can also tape the toes flat for a couple of days. Here is a picture of how to tape:
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0601/9550/4282/files/flattened-foot.jpg?v=1665040516

 

[Flockoften]

You might try placing the chick in a small wineglass or padded cup to see if it can strengthen its leg muscles. Feed it some moistened chick feed and egg. Riboflavin or B2, which is in B complex, baby vitamins, and in some chicken vitamins, can be given for the curled toes and leg issues. You can also tape the toes flat for a couple of days. Here is a picture of how to tape:
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0601/9550/4282/files/flattened-foot.jpg?v=1665040516

Thank you so much. I was reading that the baby vitamins must be iron free? I can’t seem to find those.

 

[Flockoften]

I’m also wondering if it’s blind

 

[Eggcessive]

There is Polyvisol without iron available, but the Best Buy is human super B or B complex tablets, Spring Valley or similar brands at WalMart vitamin aisle, about $9. Take 1/2 tablet and crush with a spoon and add to a spoonful of water. Drop some into the beak or mix with a few chick crumbles of chick start or egg. Many chicks can have issues with home hatching. I have seen a couple who could never stand upright or eat, and had to be put down. I prefer to hatch with broody hens or buy hatchery chicks.