Chick hatched backwards.....

[beakmaster]

It pipped and I helped it out a bit. All the rest of the eggs had hatched so I thought it would die if I didn't act. It won't get up and is kicking its legs like crazy. One of its wings is kinda pointed up and backwards. The toes are kinda curled up like they are on most chicks when they first hatch, although he has been hatched for 14 hrs. He is lively as can be... he kicks like crazy but is unable to stand. Should I cull him? I hate to think he might die slow.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

try taking a wash cloth and roll it up tightly then scotch tape the ends together to make a small tight nest and sit him upright in it for a while. you should give him a chance anyhow. and some sugar water too

 

[beakmaster]

I'll give it a try. As of now there is no change. He is lively and I hold him up to get water as much as I can. It seems like his spine is twisted.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

ive never heard of that before , hope all goes well and remember, we cant win them all

 

[James the Bald]

I think you are describing wry neck.

 

[dynodon]

I've had several hatch like that ,spraddle legged ,twisted necks , etc. They are always late to hatch .I used to try different things to help them . None of them ever work .Even if they get better , they are never as strong and healthy as the rest . I keep a pair of scissors by the brooder to dispatch culls humanely .I now throw out all remaining eggs , the next day after the majority hatches .The reason being -- the chicks are too weak for whatever reason to get out of the shell on time , they aren't worth keeping .

 

[Granny Hatchet]

hi, just wondered what u decided? if she got better or not

 

[beakmaster]

She wasn't getting any bigger and her size wasn't keeping up with the others at all. I really hated to do it but I culled her last night. I should'a done it earlier but I thought maybe she'd get better. I had another die unexpectedly also. I noticed then its top beak was real short. I guess it was unable to eat properly.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

im sorry to hear it.

 

[beakmaster]

Its sad but I have been relatively luck with my hatches. I hatched 95+ a couple weeks ago (before this small hatch) and only lost 2. It is rough getting attached to one, trying to help it and then nothing.