Chick will not stay upright

[karen71]

Chick was born this morning - still laying on side -
I put upright appears neck is not correct and the poor thing keeps laying on it's back
Do I put it out of its misery or see if it gets better ?

 

[KellyHM]

You need to either hold him upright for a while or if you don't have time to do that put him in a mug/cup that's small enough to make him stand upright. Line it with a paper towel so it's not too slippery. If you keep him in the upright position long enough he'll figure it out. I start with 30 minutes at a time in the cup and go from there depending on how stubborn they are. Most of the chicks correct within a couple of hours. I had a turkey poult that it took me 48 hours to fix, but he's fine now.

 

[karen71]

Will he be warm enough ?
i have him out and it seems like his neck may be crooked

 

[KellyHM]

If you're holding him he'll be warm enough. If he's in a cup put him in the incubator or brooder. His neck will look crooked but it's just b/c he has a "kink" in it from laying upside down too long. Let us know how he's doing?

 

[karen71]

I could not get him to stay upright in the cup - so i have him wrapped in a cut up t shirt and it keeps him in the correct position and his neck down
I got him no iron poly vi sol vitamins and give him drops 3 x a day - he is in s shoe box in the brooder so he can stay warm - when I give him the drops I try to hold him with his neck in the correct position - only time will tell - if he makes no improvement then I'll have to be humane and put him out of his misery - but I thought I would try and see - he appears to not be in pain not cheeping extreme amounts - only complains when I bother him just like the others - I'll keep you posted

 

[Keri78]

Just remember if he had hatched out under his Mama's belly then she would keep him squished under her for at least the first day or two anyway. And I had a friend that had a chick hatch and it did not walk for a couple of weeks or more. It would scoot on it's bum but eventually it's muscles developed and it was fine! Give it time...as long as you make sure he's eating & drinking he should do fine...but that really won't kick in full gear until day 2-3 anyway. Keep us posted! Your a good "Mama Hen" taking care of your chickies!!!

 

[karen71]

Another of his egg mates hatched with the same issues - it must be hereditary - I have made the decision to cull them both woth the co2 method
I am

as I type but since it is both of them it must be bad ...

Thank you all for your help and support .

 

[awyrwicki]

I'm having the same issue. I have lost 3 on their own, and I have another one who is fighting to hold on. Someone suggested to me that it is Omphalitis so I am treating the 4th with antibiotics and treating his umbilicus with Bactine. If you have more hatch that way, try it. If it doesnt work, then at least they can have the chance to go on their own or wait and see. They may pull through it.