Chick hatched with no eyes and a cross beak

[Redhead Rae]

Thank you. I certainly hope it's not Marek's. I had to assist this one in hatching, as well as two of the other three that hatched. Ironically the one with deformities was the only one that didn't need an assisted hatch. The other two that were assisted appear fine and are up and running around, causing trouble as chicks do. This one may just be weaker or have something wrong internally. I hope it makes it, but I'm not sure. I'll try everything I can though. I've only hatched three times and I've had such bad luck each time... I feel so bad for these babies this time around and like it's my fault. It makes me want to give up on hatching.

Let me ease your mind, it isn’t Mareks. Mareks is not transferred vertically (through hatched eggs) but horizontally (through contact with dander from infected poultry). If your newly hatched chicks were exposed to Mareks right now it would take at least several weeks to show signs and symptoms.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Oh and when you hatch eggs, straight Nutri-drench is your best friend. Nutri-drench comes in a small bottle that is concentrated and is meant to be diluted in water. However, the undiluted Nutri-drench is a great boost for freshly hatched chicks. I hatched for 6 months this year, I had many chicks that had the balance problems you are describing. If you give them one drop of straight Nutri-drench on their beak, their balance problems will usually start resolving within 5 minutes. It is amazing how quickly the stuff works. As a general rule, all my incubator chicks get Nutri-drench at least once, usually 2-3 times before I move them to the brooder. It gives them a great starting boost.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

@Redhead Rae I believe you are the exact person @Thedogsbark needs right now! Thank you

 

[chickens really]

Hello. Sounds like they are still absorbing the yolk. Put them into the warm Brooder. Wait 24 hours till they find their feet before you feed or water them. A margarine container lined with Kleenex till the little one finds its feet.

 

[chickens really]

Also I'm thinking your incubator was a bit off or you assisted too soon. I'm nothing sure what took place during the hatch....Anyways just keep waiting till they find their feet. Put them in the warm Brooder.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Also I'm thinking your incubator was a bit off or you assisted too soon. I'm nothing sure what took place during the hatch....Anyways just keep waiting till they find their feet. Put them in the warm Brooder.

I think it is best to leave unbalanced chicks in the incubator until they find their feet. If they can’t move effectively, they aren’t able to move in and out of warm zones to keep themselves comfortable. The incubator is already the right temp for them.

 

[chickens really]

I think it is best to leave unbalanced chicks in the incubator until they find their feet. If they can’t move effectively, they aren’t able to move in and out of warm zones to keep themselves comfortable. The incubator is already the right temp for them.

Not my first rodeo hatching eggs.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Not my first rodeo hatching eggs.

But not everyone can get a brooder to maintain a good temp for a chick that can’t walk yet. Lord knows I can’t.

 

[chickens really]

But not everyone can get a brooder to maintain a good temp for a chick that can’t walk yet. Lord knows I can’t.

...I definitely have zero issues. It's pretty easy I find...

 

[chickens really]

I never set a Brooder to a specific temp I watch the chicks or Ducklings because a warm content baby will not fuss.