Chick stepped on

[Cyneswith]

My daughter accidentally stepped on one of my chicks when my husband was out there with them, and the chick's head is stuck downward, holding it's beak towards it's chest. They are sleeping now, or I'd take a picture. What, if anything, can I do for the chick?

 

[micstrachan]

How long was the head stuck downward? How old is the chick? Where are they now?

 

[Cyneswith]

The chick is 5 days old, and it was stepped on about an hour ago. I gave it a drop of Nutridrench in the side of its beak. They are in their brooder (in a garage), under the brooder plate.

 

[micstrachan]

Oh, good. Is she breathing ok? If you gently examine her all over, does she flinch or protest as if in pain?

 

[Cyneswith]

She is breathing fine. Touching her all over, she's fine, but when I gently lifted her chin*, she protested and tried to scamper off.

*beak, really, but chin conveys the idea better.

 

[micstrachan]

Understood. Maybe let her sleep through the night and reassess in the morning? Sounds like her neck is sore, but apparently not broken. I am hopeful for her recovery!

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Pic maybe?

 

[Cyneswith]

I'll take a pic first thing in the morning.

 

[flappychicken]

Wow ok then! We have had chicks that get stuck joints and can't walk. usually they lay down and then get stepped on and smothered to death. But if it is in the neck, she could have pulled something or jammed something. But as long as she can heal in peace then she should be fine!

 

[Cyneswith]

70% better this morning. She still flinches when I try to lift her chin, but I can lift it higher with no reaction and she can lift her head enough to drink, which was my main fear.