chick with no top skull

[Shamo Hybrid]

It's struggling to stand up because it's brain is exposed to the elements causing it to misfire...... I'm no brain surgeon or neurologist or anything, just my thoughts on it.

 

[Nellydog]

Please keep us posted

 

[lena_]

Hello Genevieve, I'm awfully sorry that you have to go through all of this. Unfortunately there is not all to much you can do. I would suggest to get it on a heating pad or hot water bottle and taking it to an avian vet.

It COULD still survive, although it will never be able to live a normal, outdoor life. The best case scenario is that the little one pulls through, and has to live as an indoor chicken.

Good luck, and please keep us updated.

 

[Tesumph]

Hello Genevieve, I'm awfully sorry that you have to go through all of this. Unfortunately there is not all to much you can do. I would suggest to get it on a heating pad or hot water bottle and taking it to an avian vet.

It COULD still survive, although it will never be able to live a normal, outdoor life. The best case scenario is that the little one pulls through, and has to live as an indoor chicken.

Good luck, and please keep us updated.

I agree that there is nothing you can do, but I would not waste money at a vet for this. They will suggest putting the poor thing down as well; this is an unfixable birth defect.

 

[BarnDoorClosed]

Poor baby I hope he or she makes it and if so definatly name that one miracle or lucky! Fingers crossed for the little one, made it this far!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Anxious to hear about her progress.......

 

[bobbi-j]

Do you thinks it's the actual brain though

Whether it is brain or not, this chick will likely never be able to be put in with the flock, or they would kill it by pecking at its head.

I really thank you all for this information. It’s really hard to decide but I don’t think I can kill it. It cheeps and tries to walk around, but I don’t think that it can walk. I don’t want it to suffer but I’m also hopeful it could possibly be okay... my boyfriends best friend had a cat who lived until a coyote got it with exposed brain which eventually had skin grow over it... not sure if it was this much though. It’s started cheeping more and I don’t know if it means it’s hurting or if it wants to be with it’s other brothers and sisters. They’re all talking to each other. Definitely not going to put them together though. Should I try to take more pictures? Will that be helpful in determining if it’s anencephaly and it’s actually it’s brain?

In my opinion, this chick will never have a good quality of life. I think euthanizing it would be the kindest thing you can do for it.

 

[lena_]

I agree that there is nothing you can do, but I would not waste money at a vet for this. They will suggest putting the poor thing down as well; this is an unfixable birth defect.

Unfortunate, but probably true. All the OP can really do is wait, if the poor little thing isn't already dead I just figured a vet may have some insight into this...

 

[Tesumph]

Unfortunate, but probably true. All the OP can really do is wait, if the poor little thing isn't already dead I just figured a vet may have some insight into this...

I’ve worked in a vet clinic.. saw a kitten born exactly like this. We didn’t have to euthanize it, it didn’t last long. Also seen a calf born with an exposed brain, it had many neural defects and was kindly euthanized.
The skin will not magically grow over on an exposed, deformed brain.

 

[lena_]

I’ve worked in a vet clinic.. saw a kitten born exactly like this. We didn’t have to euthanize it, it didn’t last long. Also seen a calf born with an exposed brain, it had many neural defects and was kindly euthanized.
The skin will not magically grow over on an exposed, deformed brain.

Darn. A friend of mine once swore that crested ducks were the best breed, until she had an entire hatch with no crest, just exposed brain.

I very recently had a chick hatch with exposed intestines. It went downhill quickly, and my Stepdad ended it's misery, I couldn't bear to see it suffer.

These things are sad, but they do happen. Many are not prepared for this kind of thing I suppose.