chick not unfolding

[Chesneys]

Long story, but a handyman did not look after eggs while we were gone last weekend, after 3 healthy chicks hatched under the brooder lamp So I was going to throw out some of the older eggs when I saw one hatching After a few hours it seemed to be in difficulty so helped with the shell a bit. It is now 24 hours dry and warm and peeping but looks downright premature, and the feet are not unfolding. Will drink a drop if I dip it's beak and pecked at one food grain when I stuck his head in the feeder, but otherwise just sleeps. Anyone out there know what is going on with the little one?

 

[lightchick]

I don't know much about this kind of stuff but I think you should wait and see how it goes.
Maybe he will be able to stand in a couple of hours.
I don't think you should try and make him drink, you could choke him and baby chicks can survive on the yolk for like 3 days.

 

[casportpony]

I don't know much about this kind of stuff but I think you should wait and see how it goes.
Maybe he will be able to stand in a couple of hours.
I don't think you should try and make him drink, you could choke him and baby chicks can survive on the yolk for like 3 days.

Some chicks and ducklings can actually get dehydrated during hatching, so having one drink ASAP is a good idea.

-Kathy

 

[Chesneys]

Ok, lightchick, I will try that We live in the desert and the air is very dry, so I didn't want him to dehydrate. I am a show dog breeder, and new to chickens, so all contributions gratefully accepted. If this were a puppy I would say premature and failure to thrive.

 

[lightchick]

Well thanks for letting me know!

 

[casportpony]

Well thanks for letting me know!

You're welcome... I recently had a necropsy done on a four day old duckling and that report stated that it was severely dehydrated and that he had visceral gout because of it, but cause of death was actually an umbilical infection.

-Kathy

 

[Chesneys]

OK, Kathy I am careful dipping it's beak and it seems to be getting one drop at a time Have you ever seen the folded feet before? It's like they are still in egg position.

 

[casportpony]

OK, Kathy I am careful dipping it's beak and it seems to be getting one drop at a time Have you ever seen the folded feet before? It's like they are still in egg position.

Can you post a picture? I've had a couple take a day or two to unfold and I've had some with curled toes.

-Kathy

 

[subhanalah]

You can put booties on it to straighten out the feet. The sooner you do it, the more likely it is to correct the problem.

 

[Chesneys]

I can take the picture Kathy but I am also new to Windows 8 and have been having problems with their photo program I will try But in the interim, the little legs are up against the body, the foot curled down at the top and the toes "fisted" together I can stretch them out gently but they go back

Karene