day old chick keeps flipping on her back or gasping for air... help!!!

[Frosty_2503]

She (or he) hatched yesterday morning, her air bubble in the egg was slightly irregular but she hatched on her own. She keeps flipping onto her back or will wake up from a nap gasping for air. It’s heartbreaking! There is no click when she breathes normally but when she’s gasping there’s the odd click. She’s very sassy and pecks at the others still... She can keep her head up and everything so I don’t think it’s wry neck, what do you guys think it is?? Can I help her?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

Sorry your chick is having issues.

I would treat it as wry neck... star gazing... and dose directly with poultry nutri drench... every couple hours and place on it's belly with some support to help it stay upright each time until you see improvement. The PND has amino acids that other vitamin packets do not.

If she isn't able to move in and out of heat, I keep them in the incubator until they can stabilize themselves and not be trampled.

 

[chickens really]

She (or he) hatched yesterday morning, her air bubble in the egg was slightly irregular but she hatched on her own. She keeps flipping onto her back or will wake up from a nap gasping for air. It’s heartbreaking! She can keep her head up and everything so I don’t think it’s wry neck, what do you guys think it is?? Can I help her?

I'm thinking she has a possible birth defect of her lungs and heart.

 

[Frosty_2503]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

Sorry your chick is having issues.

I would treat it as wry neck... star gazing... and dose directly with poultry nutri drench... every couple hours and place on it's belly with some support to help it stay upright each time until you see improvement. The PND has amino acids that other vitamin packets do not.

If she isn't able to move in and out of heat, I keep them in the incubator until they can stabilize themselves and not be trampled.

Thanks so much! I’ll get right on that and fingers crossed she gets better!

 

[Anime2lover]

I think she might have a defect as well.

 

[Frosty_2503]

I think she might have a defect as well.

She can breathe normal for the most part but every now and then will just start to gasp...

 

[chickens really]

She can breathe normal for the most part but every now and then will just start to gasp...

Just give her time..Leave it with the others and wait. Don't force anything like feed or water either.

 

[Frosty_2503]

Just give her time..Leave it with the others and wait. Don't force anything like feed or water either.

Thank you! I have her out snuggling right now as the others keep trampling her

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'm thinking she has a possible birth defect of her lungs and heart.

Defects are a possibility.

But all of our muscles including those used for breathing require certain nutrients to function properly.

While a hen might be getting enough nutrition to support herself it might not be passing enough to the egg to fully support life. If it hatched on it's own... I at least try.

If the chick aspirated fluid when hatching due to the odd air sac.. then a crackling sound will probably be heard when breathing... and in my experience, death from sheer exhaustion is eminent. If no crackling is heard.. drip the PND directly below the nostrils. I hold the chick in my hand with beak facing the bend of my forefinger to help catch and direct the drop.

Agreed.. don't force feed or water and be patient.

 

[Frosty_2503]

Defects are a possibility.

But all of our muscles including those used for breathing require certain nutrients to function properly.

While a hen might be getting enough nutrition to support herself it might not be passing enough to the egg to fully support life. If it hatched on it's own... I at least try.

If the chick aspirated fluid when hatching due to the odd air sac.. then a crackling sound will probably be heard when breathing... and in my experience, death from sheer exhaustion is eminent. If no crackling is heard.. drip the PND directly below the nostrils. I hold the chick in my hand with beak facing the bend of my forefinger to help catch and direct the drop.

Agreed.. don't force feed or water and be patient.

There is no crackle when she’s breaking normal but a slight one while she’s gasping... is there anything I can do to help her?